One Old Vet » Mexican Doctor Smuggles Heroin into the U.S.

One Old Vet » Mexican Doctor Smuggles Heroin into the U.S.: "two Mexican nationals — including a physician — were sentenced to U.S. prison terms for smuggling heroin into the U.S. via Arizona. They were arrested in New York City’s Times Square.
Jose David Portillo-Lopez, 39, a medical doctor from Mexico, and Juan Bautista Beltran-Lopez, 38, received 87 and 84 months in prison, respectively.
Here’s the direct account from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix:
“In December 2007, after entering the U.S. near Yuma, Ariz., the pair met with affiliates of a Colombian drug-trafficking organization. Each was given a pair of hiking books whose soles had been modified to conceal over a kilogram of heroin. Beltran-Lopez and Portillo-Lopez then joined with other smugglers to transport the heroin to New York City. DEA agents tracked the defendants’ movement across the country. As the defendants were arriving at their final delivery point — a hotel near Times Square — the agents arrested them and seized the heroin concealed in their footwear.”"

One Old Vet » Mexican Doctor Smuggles Heroin into the U.S.

One Old Vet » Mexican Doctor Smuggles Heroin into the U.S.: "two Mexican nationals — including a physician — were sentenced to U.S. prison terms for smuggling heroin into the U.S. via Arizona. They were arrested in New York City’s Times Square.
Jose David Portillo-Lopez, 39, a medical doctor from Mexico, and Juan Bautista Beltran-Lopez, 38, received 87 and 84 months in prison, respectively.
Here’s the direct account from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix:
“In December 2007, after entering the U.S. near Yuma, Ariz., the pair met with affiliates of a Colombian drug-trafficking organization. Each was given a pair of hiking books whose soles had been modified to conceal over a kilogram of heroin. Beltran-Lopez and Portillo-Lopez then joined with other smugglers to transport the heroin to New York City. DEA agents tracked the defendants’ movement across the country. As the defendants were arriving at their final delivery point — a hotel near Times Square — the agents arrested them and seized the heroin concealed in their footwear.”"

Sheriff deputy arrested for drug smuggling - Hot Off The Press (release)

Sheriff deputy arrested for drug smuggling - Hot Off The Press (release): "Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff Jesus R. Contreras, 29, and Ernesto Castro, 38, both of Nogales, Ariz., were arrested by the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force on federal drug trafficking and gun charges yesterday. Both were ordered detained at their initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro. A detention hearing is set for May 7, 2010.
“Arizona’s law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold the law on our border, where many temptations lurk. The vast majority do so with honor,” said Dennis K. Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “I want to thank the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force for their excellent work on this investigation, and especially the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”"

Sheriff deputy arrested for drug smuggling - Hot Off The Press (release)

Sheriff deputy arrested for drug smuggling - Hot Off The Press (release): "Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff Jesus R. Contreras, 29, and Ernesto Castro, 38, both of Nogales, Ariz., were arrested by the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force on federal drug trafficking and gun charges yesterday. Both were ordered detained at their initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Thomas Ferraro. A detention hearing is set for May 7, 2010.
“Arizona’s law enforcement officers have a duty to uphold the law on our border, where many temptations lurk. The vast majority do so with honor,” said Dennis K. Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “I want to thank the Southern Arizona Border Corruption Task Force for their excellent work on this investigation, and especially the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”"

Hells Angels associate sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison - Winnipeg Free Press

Hells Angels associate sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison - Winnipeg Free Press: "Allen Morrison, 38, was one of 18 people targeted during Project Drill, in which a secret agent was paid $625,000 plus expenses to conduct a series of drug deals which were captured by police audio and video surveillance.Morrison was caught in 2007 arranging four major cocaine deals in which he sent a lower-level 'courier' to meet with the agent at various city locations, including Polo Park Shopping Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart, Burger King and A&W in which cash and drugs changed hands.
Morrison was a longtime biker associate, officially deemed a 'Hangaround', who was slowly climbing the criminal ladder at the time of his arrest, court was told."

Hells Angels associate sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison - Winnipeg Free Press

Hells Angels associate sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison - Winnipeg Free Press: "Allen Morrison, 38, was one of 18 people targeted during Project Drill, in which a secret agent was paid $625,000 plus expenses to conduct a series of drug deals which were captured by police audio and video surveillance.Morrison was caught in 2007 arranging four major cocaine deals in which he sent a lower-level 'courier' to meet with the agent at various city locations, including Polo Park Shopping Centre, Shoppers Drug Mart, Burger King and A&W in which cash and drugs changed hands.
Morrison was a longtime biker associate, officially deemed a 'Hangaround', who was slowly climbing the criminal ladder at the time of his arrest, court was told."

ST. LOUIS: Inmate gets 12 years for drug smuggling - STLtoday.com

ST. LOUIS: Inmate gets 12 years for drug smuggling - STLtoday.com: "Corey Louis Hines, 38, has been sentenced to 12 more years in prison for smuggling drugs into the federal lockup at Marion, Ill., where he is an inmate, officials said Monday.
Hines was caught in September 2009 trying to bring in marijuana using a visitor, and later admitted successfully smuggling pot, heroin and tobacco to sell to others, prosecutors said. His new sentence will follow a 95-month term he was serving for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit Social Security fraud, for crimes committed in Missouri"

ST. LOUIS: Inmate gets 12 years for drug smuggling - STLtoday.com

ST. LOUIS: Inmate gets 12 years for drug smuggling - STLtoday.com: "Corey Louis Hines, 38, has been sentenced to 12 more years in prison for smuggling drugs into the federal lockup at Marion, Ill., where he is an inmate, officials said Monday.
Hines was caught in September 2009 trying to bring in marijuana using a visitor, and later admitted successfully smuggling pot, heroin and tobacco to sell to others, prosecutors said. His new sentence will follow a 95-month term he was serving for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit Social Security fraud, for crimes committed in Missouri"

Wayne Coleiro, 38, of Bryony Close, Walkden, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.Matthew Neale, 38, of Halton Bank, Irlam, was given seven years

Wayne Coleiro, 38, of Bryony Close, Walkden, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.Matthew Neale, 38, of Halton Bank, Irlam, was given seven years behind bars have been brought to justice after police smashed a huge cocaine supply network.
The men were part of a group of nine, who all admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs, were caught following a major undercover operation.The gang was caught red-handed last March when cops found two kilos of cocaine and a blender to ‘cut’ the drug at a house in Miles Platting, Manchester.After they were jailed, Detective Chief Inspector John Ogden, of the Serious Crime Division of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Our investigation unearthed a lucrative and widespread criminal network involved in selling drugs."We have smashed a major drugs ring by disrupting the supply of lethal drugs on to our streets and it is very pleasing to see the main players behind bars."We targeted this ring because GMP is committed to clamping down on the illicit trade of drugs and I hope these sentences act as a warning to anyone who is currently involved in drug-related activity or who may be considering becoming involved in it."

Wayne Coleiro, 38, of Bryony Close, Walkden, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.Matthew Neale, 38, of Halton Bank, Irlam, was given seven years

Wayne Coleiro, 38, of Bryony Close, Walkden, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.Matthew Neale, 38, of Halton Bank, Irlam, was given seven years behind bars have been brought to justice after police smashed a huge cocaine supply network.
The men were part of a group of nine, who all admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs, were caught following a major undercover operation.The gang was caught red-handed last March when cops found two kilos of cocaine and a blender to ‘cut’ the drug at a house in Miles Platting, Manchester.After they were jailed, Detective Chief Inspector John Ogden, of the Serious Crime Division of Greater Manchester Police, said: "Our investigation unearthed a lucrative and widespread criminal network involved in selling drugs."We have smashed a major drugs ring by disrupting the supply of lethal drugs on to our streets and it is very pleasing to see the main players behind bars."We targeted this ring because GMP is committed to clamping down on the illicit trade of drugs and I hope these sentences act as a warning to anyone who is currently involved in drug-related activity or who may be considering becoming involved in it."

Stephanie Thomas, 43, was said to have been a naive housewife flattered by the attentions of Matthew Wright, 38, who introduced her to cocaine

Stephanie Thomas, 43, was said to have been a naive housewife flattered by the attentions of Matthew Wright, 38, who introduced her to crime and cocaine soon after they met in January last year. woman was sweet-talked by her boyfriend into smuggling cocaine from Venezuela wrapped up in her bikini bottoms.Seven months later the pair were caught with cocaine worth £80,000 after landing at Manchester Airport after a trip to South America.At the time Wright -- of Alfred Street, Wigan -- was on bail after being caught with £2,000 of forged bank notes after trying to pass one of them off at a Chorley hardware store. He later admitted that he had smuggled the cocaine in a bid to make 'easy money' and had roped Thomas -- of Cameron Place, Wigan -- who has children aged from four to 22, into his scheme.One of the blocks of cocaine was found inside a sock inside a trolley the pair had brought back. The other was found inside a beach bag, concealed by bikini bottoms.Wright paid for the flights out to Venezuela, where Thomas took a 'bad dose' of cocaine and became sick -- meaning the pair missed their original flight home. Later, a dealer's list of customers was found at her address in Wigan, the court heard.The couple had also travelled to Colombia -- famous for its cocaine trade -- before jetting out to Venezuela.Wright admitted his offence but Thomas was found guilty at trial. Sentencing the pair for importing class A drugs, Judge David Hernandez said Wright had taken Thomas with him to give himself a 'veneer of respectability,' while she had 'knowledge' of what he was up to. Wright was sentenced to a total of eight years and eight months for importing cocaine and possessing the forged notes, while Thomas was given four years and six months in jail.Mike O'Grady, of Revenue and Customs said: "There is no excuse for any person to get involved in this illegal and harmful trade. Today, Wright and Thomas are paying the price for their parts in an international criminal network."Working with our law enforcement colleagues both in the UK and abroad sharing intelligence we will take every action to detect, seize and bring those smuggling drugs into the country before the courts.
"This is an illegal trade which damages the lives of local people and finances wider criminal organizations."

Stephanie Thomas, 43, was said to have been a naive housewife flattered by the attentions of Matthew Wright, 38, who introduced her to cocaine

Stephanie Thomas, 43, was said to have been a naive housewife flattered by the attentions of Matthew Wright, 38, who introduced her to crime and cocaine soon after they met in January last year. woman was sweet-talked by her boyfriend into smuggling cocaine from Venezuela wrapped up in her bikini bottoms.Seven months later the pair were caught with cocaine worth £80,000 after landing at Manchester Airport after a trip to South America.At the time Wright -- of Alfred Street, Wigan -- was on bail after being caught with £2,000 of forged bank notes after trying to pass one of them off at a Chorley hardware store. He later admitted that he had smuggled the cocaine in a bid to make 'easy money' and had roped Thomas -- of Cameron Place, Wigan -- who has children aged from four to 22, into his scheme.One of the blocks of cocaine was found inside a sock inside a trolley the pair had brought back. The other was found inside a beach bag, concealed by bikini bottoms.Wright paid for the flights out to Venezuela, where Thomas took a 'bad dose' of cocaine and became sick -- meaning the pair missed their original flight home. Later, a dealer's list of customers was found at her address in Wigan, the court heard.The couple had also travelled to Colombia -- famous for its cocaine trade -- before jetting out to Venezuela.Wright admitted his offence but Thomas was found guilty at trial. Sentencing the pair for importing class A drugs, Judge David Hernandez said Wright had taken Thomas with him to give himself a 'veneer of respectability,' while she had 'knowledge' of what he was up to. Wright was sentenced to a total of eight years and eight months for importing cocaine and possessing the forged notes, while Thomas was given four years and six months in jail.Mike O'Grady, of Revenue and Customs said: "There is no excuse for any person to get involved in this illegal and harmful trade. Today, Wright and Thomas are paying the price for their parts in an international criminal network."Working with our law enforcement colleagues both in the UK and abroad sharing intelligence we will take every action to detect, seize and bring those smuggling drugs into the country before the courts.
"This is an illegal trade which damages the lives of local people and finances wider criminal organizations."