Stacey West,Melissa Bernhard,Craig Mohring charged with one count of trafficking in heroin.

Stacey West, 21, from the 3000 block of Shamrock Drive in Morrow, was arrested on Jan. 30 after delivering the a controlled substance to a house in Hamilton .She was charged with trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin, both fifth-degree felonies and possession of drug paraphernalia, a forth-degree misdemeanor,
Melissa Bernhard, 24, and Craig Mohring, 26, both of Williamsburg, Ohio were arrested Jan. 24 after police say the pair delivered heroin to a house in the township. Both were charged with one count of trafficking in heroin.

Benjamin Ogbonnaya Ikeh accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia

Nigerian man has faced a Cairns court accused of trying to smuggle heroin into Australia by concealing the drug internally. The Cairns Magistrates Court heard the 39 year old man passed a total of 54 pellets containing 945 grams of a white powder believed to be heroin after being taken to Cairns Base Hospital by the Australian Federal Police on March 20. An x-ray had allegedly earlier revealed he was concealing more than 50 packages internally. The pellets are currently the subject of forensic testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. The man was stopped by Customs officers after arriving on a flight from Narita in Japan last Thursday, prosecutors said. He was referred to the AFP after officials became suspicious he was concealing drugs internally.Benjamin Ogbonnaya Ikeh, 39, appeared briefly in Cairns Magistrates' Court yesterday, charged with importing a marketable quantity of heroin.If convicted, the offence carries a maximum penalty of 25 years jail or a $550,000 fine.Wearing a black jumper, Mr Ikeh sat in silence in the dock yesterday. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody. The court did not hear details of the police allegations. However, a joint statement released by the Australian Federal Police and Customs Service indicated that the man was apprehended at Cairns airport on Thursday after arriving on a flight from Narita, Japan.
Customs officers became suspicious that he could be concealing drugs internally and he was taken to Cairns Base Hospital where an X-ray allegedly indicated more than 50 packages.Police will allege the man passed a total of 54 pellets containing about 945g of white powder, believed to be heroin.
In court yesterday, duty solicitor Kate Power said Mr Ikeh had consented to the internal body search.She said Mr Ikeh was a Nigerian national but had been living in Tokyo, Japan. This was his first visit to Australia and he had planned to stay for one week.Magistrate Trevor Black adjourned the case until May 12 to allow investigators to complete forensic testing and determine the exact weight, quantity and nature of the drugs.The arrest is the latest in a series of recent drug busts by Customs officers.

Avi Nashalti, Eli Klugman,Oren Mordechai,Eliezer Goldberg ecstasy smuggling

Authorities have arrested four people who are alleged to have attempted to smuggle thousands of ecstasy pills into the country from Europe, law enforcement officials announced Thursday. Prosecutors will file an indictment against the four suspects in the coming days. The first alleged incident occurred on November 22, when a package containing thousands of ecstasy pills arrived from Belgium. The box, which was addressed to an 81-year-old Italian tourist who at the time was staying as a guest at a Tiberias hotel, was received at a Haifa post office.
Police say customs officials were tipped off to the ecstasy shipment and began a covert investigation in tandem with police intelligence investigators from the national office and the Northern District. Law enforcement officials say the Tiberias hotel manager, Eli Klugman, used the Italian tourist's passport in order to arrange for the shipment to be delivered under her name. Klugman, 35, picked up the package at the Haifa post office, where undercover agents were waiting to arrest him. Police who interrogated Klugman then focused their attention on another suspect, Oren Mordechai, a 55-year-old reputed drug dealer from the Dead Sea area. Mordechai is alleged to have been involved in the smuggling plot.
Earlier this month, two released inmates from Givat Ada and Pardes Hana were arrested for attempted drug smuggling. Both men had earlier served time in prison for attempted murder, theft, and drug-related crimes.
Police say one of the suspects, Avi Nashalti, 40, flew to the Netherlands, where he sent a package containing thousands of ecstasy pills to Eliezer Goldberg, a Givat Ada resident.
Dutch authorities became aware of the contents of the package and proceeded to inform their Israeli counterparts, who requested that the delivery be allowed to proceed. Once the package arrived, police launched an undercover investigation which resulted in the arrest of both Nashalti and Goldberg. Police say the quantities of ecstasy that Nashalti allegedly sent are worth upwards of NIS 3 million. Prosecutors are in the process of preparing indictments against the suspects.

Valentin Espinoz,Samuel Rodriguez ,Felipe Reyes accused of selling a large amount of cocaine to undercover police.

Three men are in custody accused of selling a large amount of cocaine to undercover police.Officers arrested Valentin Espinoz, Samuel Rodriguez and Felipe Reyes Sunday morning on West Galbraith Road.Investigators say they had at least 100 pounds of cocaine.All three men are in jail without bond
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Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes,Fredy Jaimes Cruz,Addlfo Jaimes,Genaro Lara facing charges of conspire to traffic cocaine

Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes, 32, of the Hallsboro address, is being held in Bladen County Jail on a $5 million bond, facing charges of conspire to traffic cocaine by manufacture; conspire to traffic cocaine by possession; conspire to traffic cocaine by sell; and conspire to traffic cocaine by deliver.Also in Bladen County Jail on a $1 million bond each are Fredy Jaimes Cruz, 24; Addlfo Jaimes, 31; and Genaro Lara, 30. All three were charged with the same charges as Lorenzo Jaimes.Saul Calvillo Rojas, 24, also on a $1 million bond in Bladen County Jail, faces those charges as well as trafficking in cocaine by manufacture; trafficking in cocaine by possession; trafficking in cocaine by sell; and trafficking in cocaine by deliver.Juan Carlos Mendoza, 20, is being held in Columbus County Jail, also on a $1 million bond, for the same charges as Lorenzo Jaimes as well.A total of 11 kilos of cocaine, $3,000 in cash, four vehicles, three hand guns, two assault rifles, a farm tractor and several ATVs were seized during the searches, Bunn said. There was no conflict or injury during the bust, Bunn said.Investigators are still trying to determine the immigration status of the six arrested, he added.

Seized five tonnes of hashish and three maunds of heroin, and arrested two ‘high value’ drug traffickers

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on Monday seized five tonnes of hashish and three maunds of heroin, and arrested two ‘high value’ drug traffickers near Kohat.
The ANF said in a press release issued here that it had acted on a tip-off that an inter-provincial and international smuggling gang would try to smuggle huge quantities of narcotics from the Tribal Areas to Quetta. The ANF searched a Nissan truck near the old toll plaza on the Indus Highway in Kohat and found 5 tonnes of hashish and 3 maunds of heroin. Two ‘high-value’ drug traffickers were arrested on the spot, the ANF statement said.
During initial investigations, officials said the suspects had disclosed that they were taking the drugs to Quetta, to be smuggled abroad. In a second operation, the ANF said it seized 2 mounds of hashish from a Bedford truck near the Charsadda-Nisata interchange on Charsadda Road and arrested two drug traffickers.

Alvin Macauley,Denise Blevins charged with second degree possession of a firearm while possessing with the intent to distribute

Arrested Alvin Macauley, 35, and Denise Blevins, 33, both of Roanoke, Va., and Cecilia Bullard, 28, of New Castle, Va.The arrests were announced by Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Warren Township Police Chief Russell Leffert.
Forrest stated that the investigation began at approximately 9:40 a.m. when Larson observed a blue 1996 Cadillac with a Virginia registration traveling in the center lane on Route 78 East.
Larson observed that the Cadillac was crossing the right and left lane markings and the rear license plate was partially obstructed, so he stopped the Cadillac. After approaching the vehicle, requesting driving credentials and speaking with the occupants, Larson learned that there was an automatic handgun under the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
Larson then removed Macauley, Blevins and Bullard and handcuffed them for his safety. He then retrieved a black .380 caliber loaded semi automatic handgun from under the front passenger seat. While Larson was retrieving the handgun, he observed a vial of cocaine in plain view on the front passenger seat. He also found $5,000 and 50 folds of suspected heroin inside the vehicle.
At this time Macauley, Blevins and Bullard were arrested. Macauley was searched and found to have an additional $1,400 in his wallet. Bullard was then searched and found to be in possession of 13 unknown prescription pills and one fold of heroin.
Macauley was arrested and charged with second degree possession of a firearm while possessing with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third degree possession of heroin, third degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, a disorderly persons offense.
Blevins was arrested and charged with third degree possession of heroin, third degree possession of cocaine and third degree and possession of prescription pills.
Bullard was arrested and charged with third degree possession of heroin and third degree possession of prescription pills.
All three were transported to the Warren Township Police Department for processing. The Somerset County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force was then contacted by the Warren Township Police Department to assist in this investigation.
At the Warren Township Police Department, Macauley was found to have an additional eight folds of heroin in his front left pants pocket. A search of the Cadillac was conducted by members of the Warren Township Police Department and a member of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
The search yielded a marijuana cigarette in a Newport brand cigarette box located in the center console. In addition, police found a pocketbook containing one bag of cocaine, eight folds of heroin, 15 Xanax pills and a Nike brand backpack containing marijuana (under 50 grams) and a marijuana smoking pipe.
Macauley was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $75,000, no 10 percent option. Blevins was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $10,000, no 10 percent option. Bullard was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $10,000, no 10 percent option.

Lorne Clarke pleaded guilty to offences under the Excise Act

Lorne Clarke pleaded guilty this morning (Monday) to offences under the Excise Act as well as the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and the Criminal Code. Clarke was arrested Saturday afternoon . Police found 1500 cartons of unstamped cigarettes, and a small quantity of drugs in the vehicle.Clarke has been fined 48-thousand dollars in a Moose Jaw court after being arrested Saturday on the Trans Canada Highway.
In addition to the fine police seized the mini van he was driving and money he was carrying.

Jose Moreno,Joseph Muniz, Continental Airlines arrested

Charged today were Jose Moreno, 43, of Kenilworth, a Continental ramp employee, and Joseph Muniz, 55, of Perth Amboy, a Continental mechanic.
Muniz, who had unfettered access to Continental aircraft, allegedly was directed by Moreno to retrieve heroin hidden aboard certain flights from Colombia and El Salvador, according to special agents with the Department of Homeland Security.
In a complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney's office, one shipment of drugs was hidden within a life preserver compartment aboard a flight from Cali, Colombia, that had been allowed to continue onto a domestic flight from Newark to Houston, before anyone tried to retrieve the illicit cargo in hopes of eluding surveillance by U.S. Customs.Both men were expected to be released on $250,000 bail. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Carletta said there are believed to be others involved and the investigation is continuing.

Allegedly smuggling unauthorized drugs into VietnamHuynh Kim Hoang,Du My Hanh,Tran Van Hiep ,Nguyen Thi Hong Thoa

Five former executives from the Ho Chi Minh City Import-Export Corp. (Yteco) will appear before the HCMC People’s Court today for allegedly smuggling unauthorized drugs into Vietnam. Former Yteco director Huynh Kim Hoang, his ex-deputy Du My Hanh, the company’s former administrative department manager Lam Ngoc Kiet, and his deputy Tran Van Hiep and Nguyen Thi Hong Thoa, who headed the pharmaceutical group, are accused of forging documents to allow the company to import more than their official quota of various medicines.According to court documents, the accused changed Ministry of Health documents to import VND380 million (US$24,000) worth of drugs and vaccines.
Hoang and Hanh are also alleged to have ordered subordinates to illegally import seven types of vaccines worth more than VND8 billion ($500,000) in 2004.

Richard Dale Halstead,was charged with felony possession of cocaine

Richard Dale Halstead, 25, of 1642 Riverbend Drive, was charged with felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug-related objects and probation violation, reports stated. According to Floyd County Jail records: Halstead was kicked out of a vehicle in the 800 block of Old Dalton Road because of a fight around 11:30 p.m. Saturday.Police confiscated a glass pipe with suspected crack cocaine. There was a warrant out for his arrest. He remained in jail Sunday night on $1,250 bail.

Purshottam Sondhi allegedly carrying 22 kg of Heroin

Purshottam Sondhi was arrested by DRI officials on the highway leading to Amritsar’s Raja Sansi International Airport late on Saturday night. The Akali Dal functionary from Jalandhar was allegedly carrying 22 kg of the prized narcotic carefully wrapped in sheets of carbon paper possibly to escape detection during baggage X-ray at the airportContained in 26 plastic packets and wrapped in carbon sheets, the heroin was meticulously laid out between dozens of suiting. A DRI officer told reporters that Mr Sondhi was merely a courier who had been instructed to await a call at the airport parking lot after which he would have handed over the suitcase containing the narcotics to a specific passenger, whose identity is still a mystery. DRI’s joint director at Amritsar said the consignment, which could be worth well over Rs 22 crores in the international drug market, was probably meant to be smuggled to Canada on board Air India’s Amritsar-Birmingham-Toronto flight.
Mr Sondhi’s interrogation later led DRI men to detain one of his key associates, Bittu Atwal, from Jalandhar’s Sunnypura locality.Interestingly, after his arrest, an Akali Dal spokesperson categorically denied that Mr Sondhi represented the party.But this is not the first instance where political functionaries have been associated with narcotics smuggling.Two Akali men arrested from Dera Baba Nanak and Ferozpur earlier were expelled from the party and a Punjab police dossier sent to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in 2007 contained details of political patronage to the illegal drug trade in Punjab.Interestingly, the Tarn Taran police also detained three drug smugglers with about four kilos of heroin close to the India-Pakistan border this afternoon. The cops were however understandably tightlipped about any political connections that the men may have.

Stanley Val Williams, Kenneth Bernard Harris, Nolan Curtis Martin Jr. and Dwayne Lamont King pleaded guilty to conspiracy

Aristedes Victor Balbuena faces a minimum prison term of at least 10 years on cocaine conspiracy charge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah Griffin told U.S. District Judge Kristi DuBose that Balbuena sold 2 kilograms of cocaine -- about 4½ pounds -- to another drug dealer on Mardi Gras Day last year on Broad Street.Investigators recorded 1,200 phone calls between the dealer and Balbuena over several years. In February 2001, officers who stopped Balbuena found a shoe box filled with $13,428. The next year, Louisiana state police discovered $69,780 hidden in luggage inside a car in which Balbuena was a passenger. Balbuena has indicated that he wants to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of a lighter sentence. DuBose set his sentencing for Sept. 12. Four Mobile County men pleaded guilty last week to federal drug charges that led to the arrest of a Houston man believed to be a major cocaine supplier. Stanley Val Williams, Kenneth Bernard Harris, Nolan Curtis Martin Jr. and Dwayne Lamont King pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. A fifth defendant, Wayne Maurince Lafitte, has also signaled his intent to plead guilty.

Richard John Ichihara has prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses

According to government prosecutors,Richard John Ichihara has three prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses that constitute a "prior felony drug offense." This can enhance punishment to a term of imprisonment not less than 20 years and up to life imprisonment in the event that the defendant is convicted of the offense of possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.Ichihara was earlier convicted in the Superior Court of Guam on January 27, 2000 for two counts of importation of a controlled substance and one count of possession of a restricted substance with intent to distribute.Considered by prosecutors as the local kingpin of the drug syndicate, Ichihara pleaded not guilty to the superseding indictment filed against him and his three confederates --- Jackie Yong Lee, Kum Soon Yoo, and Won Yiel Lee.Lee and Yoo also pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession, distribution of illegal drugs, and money laundering. Yiel Lee remains at large.
During their arraignment last Friday, Yoo and Lee were both released and ordered to turn over their passports to the authorities while Ichihara was remanded to the custody of the US Marshals Service.Their trial is set for May 13.
Ichihara allegedly distributed the drugs coming from off-island to local residents for distribution on Guam. From January 2004 up to the date of indictment, Ichihara allegedly distributed more than 3,000 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and more than 30,000 grams of a mixture of substances containing detectable amounts of methamphetamine.Ichihara also allegedly imported approximately 18 grams of "ice" on December 3, 2007 and distributed approximately 24 grams of "ice" on Dec. 22, 2005.
On Feb. 3, 2008 he was arrested while in possession of approximately 23.35 grams of "ice."

Cruz Jaimes’ bail was set at $5 million. Bail for the other five men was set at $1 million each.Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $1

The men were arrested after a traffic stop just off N.C. 211 in eastern Bladen County near the Columbus County line about 5 p.m. Thursday. They are:Lorenzo Cruz Jaimes, 32, of 52 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Fredy Jamies Cruz, 24, of 48 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Adolfo James, 31, of 48 Charles Ave., Hallsboro Saul Calvillo Rojas, 24, no address available Genaro Lara, 30, no address available
Juan Carlos Mendoza, 20, of Austin, TexasCruz Jaimes is charged with manufacturing 400 grams or more of cocaine. He also is charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver.
Cruz Jaimes’ bail was set at $5 million. Bail for the other five men was set at $1 million each.Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $1million was confiscated and six men were arrested Thursday, Columbus County Sheriff Chris Batten said.Sheriff’s investigators in Bladen and New Hanover counties also were involved in the case that included the recovery of 10 kilograms of cocaine near Hallsboro after the six arrests in Bladen County.“We’re just glad to get this off the street,” Batten said of the drug seizure, one of the largest ever in Columbus or Bladen counties.
“We’ve hurt a lot of people in the pockets; we’ve hurt a lot of people on the street who thought they were going to have access to this on the street this holiday weekend.”Calvillo is charged with eight drug related crimes, the other four men with four each. Calvillo is charged with trafficking cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell, and delivery, and with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver.

Cruz Jaimes, James, Calvillo, Lara and Mendoza are each charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine by manufacture, possession, sell and deliver.All but Mendoza are being held in the Bladen County Jail. Mendoza is being held in the Columbus County Detention Center because the Bladen jail was full, Sheriff Steve Bunn said.
New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey said his investigators have been chasing leads involving drug distribution in Bladen County for a few weeks.When the New Hanover drug agents learned Thursday that a shipment of cocaine would be delivered in Bladen County, they notified drug officers at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Department.
Officers stopped a 1999 Dodge Durango and a 1994 Chevrolet King Cab with six men inside the two vehicles, Bladen County Sheriff Steve Bunn said. He was not sure which vehicle contained which men, but said a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of cocaine was found in the Durango.Bladen officers seized the drugs, the vehicles and $2,962 in cash.Drug enforcement officers in Columbus County “conducted surveillance” at 18 Roberts Lane and 52 Charles Ave. near Hallsboro, then obtained search warrants for the two houses and property.Charles Avenue and Roberts Lane are small, private drives in an area “matted with mobile homes” just off of Pameter Road in Hallsboro, Batten said.


Inside the Roberts Lane home drug officers found 10 kilograms of cocaine, Batten said. Officers seized the drugs, two SKS assault rifles and three handguns.
Investigators seized vehicles and other materials from the Charles Avenue property they believe were purchased with drug proceeds, Batten said. Seized items include a 2005 Cadillac Escalade, a Ford Escort, a John Deere tractor with loader, a Frontier mower, a cement mixer, hole digger and all-terrain vehicles.

Oral Watson leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates

The leader of a North Jersey narcotics ring with ties to a violent Jamaican drug posse was arrested along with several of his associates, including a UPS driver who delivered cocaine for the ring along his Teaneck route, authorities said today.
A joint task force led by officers from the gangs units of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with Elmwood Park police, arrested six members and associates of the drug gang on Thursday. They seized an estimated $200,000 in cocaine, $85,000 cash, a Romanian-made AK-47 assault rifle, a loaded Taurus 9mm. semi-automatic handgun, two luxury cars and $40,000 in jewelry, authorities said.
The alleged ringleader, Oral Watson, 31, of Paterson, is being held at the Passaic County Jail on $500,000 bail, said Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano.
Authorities described Watson as a Jamaican national who moved to New Jersey as a child and became a flamboyant ringleader who threw lavish parties in rented music halls. He owned a 2007 BMW and a 2004 Mercedes that were seized by police and a four-story Paterson home where officers found a closet full of designer clothes and about 300 boxes of shoes belonging to his girlfriend, a telephone company employee who was not arrested in the sweep, authorities said.Watson was arrested as he tried to drive away from a drug stash house in Hackensack, authorities said. His car rammed a police vehicle as he jumped out and fled on foot, said Ricky Rosario, a Passaic County Sheriff's Department detective sergeant and a member of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force. Watson was arrested after a short chase.
Amilcar Caballero-Pardo, 35, of Garfield, a UPS employee for 14 years, was arrested Thursday at a UPS hub in Secaucus, Rosario said. He had been observed delivering drugs, which were hidden inside computers, to Watson along his Teaneck route, Rosario said. Also arrested was Dwight Donald Lewis, 37, an alleged drug gang leader from Paterson, Laura Kida, 39, of Parsippany, Carlos Calle-Munoz, 26, of Dover, and Fabricio Zambrano, 27, of Morristown. All were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The ring distributed drugs out of Morris, Passaic and Bergen counties and has ties to the Shower Posse, a violent drug gang in Jamaica, authorities said

Sara Wuchevich Young pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine

Sara Wuchevich Young, 34, formerly of Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, has cooperated in ongoing drug investigations involving her ex-husband and was given a reduced sentence by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra. She faced at least 10 years in prison and has already served two years.As part of an agreement, Young pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine aboard a powerboat called the Le Go II that was outfitted with secret drug compartments and registered in her name. Young kept the drug ledgers for the operation that ran three 740-kilogram boatloads of Colombian cocaine from the island of Saint Vincent to South Florida until 2001 when federal agents intercepted the third shipment. The case was delayed in part because of ongoing investigations.Young also hired a crew for the boat through Fort Lauderdale-based Crewfinders International. Prosecutors acknowledged that she was never aboard the boat during the smuggling operations."She was basically a secretary," said defense attorney Ana Davide, arguing that Young played only a minor role and lived in fear of her controlling ex-husband, who she said directed the operation.But Marra didn't reduce her sentence on that basis.At 25, Young, who grew up in Pompano Beach, was a struggling single mom working minimum wage jobs in Fort Lauderdale when she met Robert "Bobby" Young, then a convicted murderer, kidnapper and trafficker about 30 years her senior."I was very young when I met Bobby and he put stars in my eyes," said Young, her voice straining to control emotion as she read her statement to the judge before sentencing. "I was a struggling single mom and he promised me the world."
Robert Young is best known for his role in the execution-style murder of the legendary powerboat king, Don Aronow. In 1995, Robert Young pleaded no contest to the $60,000 hit job on Aronow and was sentenced to 19 years in a deal that spared him life in prison.Federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents said Robert Young contracted with Rodgrigo Chegwin-Vergara, who brokered shipments for Colombian cartels, to bring six boat-loads of cocaine into South Florida. In return, Robert Young received about one-third of each load to sell. Prosecutors said Robert Young made about $2,000 on each kilo he shipped.
Prosecutors said the cocaine was hidden in secret compartments built into the boat. Once in South Florida, the cocaine was transported in large blue plastic containers and cash was delivered in 5-gallon plastic paint buckets.

Jacques Lavigne faces at least 20 years in federal prison

Jacques Lavigne, 64, faces at least 20 years in federal prison.After his arrest in October, Lavigne told investigators that he had cleared about $1 million in profit since he began selling cocaine from his Country Club Plaza home at the Locarno Apartments in the early 1990s.Lavigne quietly gave one- and two-word answers as he pleaded guilty to nine federal drug distribution felonies. He had no plea or cooperation agreements with prosecutors.More than 30 years ago, he pleaded straight up to 63 felonies for fixing greyhound races in Florida. In that case, according to a Sports Illustrated profile of him, his conspiracy stole about $2 million before prosecutors sent him to prison for 2½ years. Other than a friendly chat with investigators after he went to prison, he never cooperated against co-defendants.
According to prosecutors, Lavigne imported up to 154 pounds of cocaine into Kansas City between 2002 and 2007, selling most of it to an associate who peddled the dope to a “white collar” Plaza area crowd. Federal and city investigators learned of that associate last summer and persuaded him to begin recording his conversations with Lavigne.On the day of Lavigne’s arrest in October, authorities seized more than 2 pounds of cocaine and $400,000 from his apartment. They also intercepted an inbound shipment of more than 20 pounds of cocaine from a truck in Lafayette County. The driver of that truck, Oscar A. Torres, also is charged in the case.
Lavigne told friends in Kansas City that his name was “Frank Moran” — an identity he purchased in Florida before moving to Missouri — and that he owned several beauty supply warehouses in the area with a partner, according to court records.
He acknowledged Thursday that some of the money from drug sales went to purchase a handsome collection of diamond jewelry, commercial artwork, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz and a pair of matching Sony 32-inch flat-screen TVs that investigators also seized

Siezed 18 kilograms 315 grams of heroin woman trafficker on a Moscow-Vladivistok passenger train

Russian police in the Far East seized on Thursday 18 kilograms 315 grams of heroin from a 46-year old woman trafficker on a Moscow-Vladivistok passenger train.
“The price of the drugs is estimated at close to 37 million rubles (1.6 million dollars), police told Tass on Friday, adding it was the biggest haul of illegal drugs this year. The woman trafficker may face up to 10 years in jail and a major fine. Last year the Far Eastern police registered 15 thousand 335 crimes related to illegal drugs.

Duane S. Collins found guilty earlier this week of trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine

Duane S. Collins, 48, of 154 Lynnway, #207 was caught in Peabody nearly two years ago and was found guilty earlier this week of trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine by a Lawrence Superior Court jury.He was sentenced Thursday morning to serve not less than five years and not more than seven and one-half years in state prison by Judge Leila R. Kern.However, the judge ordered that the punishment will not commence until he completes a recently imposed 18-month jail term he is currently serving on a Middlesex County drug case for violating his probationary terms,Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Patten asked for a higher punishment, 8-to-10-years in prison, based on Collins' record and prior drug trafficking conviction in 1999.
Defense lawyer Russell L. Sobelman tried unsuccessfully to persuade Kern for an immediate straight five-year term, which is the minimum mandatory punishment for the crime, and eliminate the 18-month sentence he is now serving, but she declined. Collins was arrested July 6, 2006 after police discovered 38 grams of cocaine, nearly two ounces, in 34 individual bags in his red Ford Explorer.
Police were called to Su Changs restaurant at 373 Lowell St., a little after 5 p.m., on a report of a drunken and disorderly patron at the bar.When Peabody Patrolman Gerald Fitzgerald tried to place Collins into a cab, he refused to leave and police arrested him for disorderly conduct and intoxication.
Before towing his vehicle from the parking lot, police conducted a search and found the cocaine on the passenger's seat in a camera case.
Collins, a lobsterman by trade, testified that the cocaine was not his, that it belonged to two men he had picked up in Gloucester that night, but the jury was not swayed.The judge credited Collins the 12 days he has spent in jail awaiting trial on the case.