2014 Jackson County Drug Task Force Annual Report

JACKSON COUNTY
DRUG TASK FORCE
2014
ANNUAL REPORT
JACKSON COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE
HISTORY
In 1986, the Jackson County Missouri Drug Task Force (JCDTF) was organized as a
multi-jurisdictional investigative initiative in response to an emerging drug problem
within the county. Throughout the 1980’s, drug trafficking and an active drug culture
were a part of daily life throughout Kansas City, Missouri and much of Jackson County.
Illicit drugs, such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine and PCP were openly traded on
street corners. Drug houses and methamphetamine labs literally sprung up throughout
our County overnight. During its initial years, the JCDTF was funded through private
donations and one grant.
In 1990, Jackson County residents approved a new one-quarter of one-percent antidrug sales tax which would later become known as the Community Backed Anti-Drug
Tax (COMBAT). The tax would support a broad based attack on drugs and drug related
crimes. One of the enforcement initiatives COMBAT would fund was the JCDTF.
The tax was renewed for a seven-year period in 1995, 2004 and again in 2009. The
COMBAT tax provided the JCDTF with an adjusted budget of $1,868,307 in 2014.
The JCDTF is a voluntary law enforcement organization that operates under the
direction of an Executive Board comprised of representatives from fourteen jurisdictions
in eastern Jackson County. Eight of these agencies supply manpower for the Task
Force, while a Legal Advisor and Fiscal Officer are maintained on a contractual and part
time basis.
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Blue Springs Police - 3 Investigators
Buckner Police
Grain Valley Police – 1 Investigator
Grandview Police - 1 Sergeant, 2 Investigators
Greenwood Police
Independence Police – 1 Sergeant, 3 Investigators, 2 Chemists
Jackson County – 1 OIC, 2 Administrative Personnel, 1 Property Officer
Jackson County Sheriff – 1 Investigator, 1 Warrant Service Officer
Lake Lotawana Police
Lee’s Summit Police - 2 Investigators (2 vacant)
Lone Jack Police
Missouri National Guard – 1 Analyst (Non-Sworn)
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Oak Grove Police - 1 Investigator (vacant)
Raytown Police
Sugar Creek Police - 1 Investigator
HISTORY (CONTINUED)
The County of Jackson has approximately 604.84 square miles. With a population of
674,158 in the 2010 Census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's
counties, after St. Louis County. The JCDTF primarily focuses on the eastern and
southern portions of the county, which includes all suburban jurisdictions and
unincorporated areas. The purpose of the JCDTF is to provide a combined and unified
response to the drug and narcotics problem as it exists in eastern Jackson County,
Missouri.
While JCDTF participates with all federal, state and local Kansas City area law
enforcement agencies, its primary investigative mission and focus continues toward the
outlying areas of the county which are not adequately serviced by other agencies. In
order to assist in and further these efforts, the process was initiated for several
members of the JCDTF to obtain Federal commissions in order to better conduct joint
operations. In 2014, the JCDTF participated in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement
Task Force (OCDETF) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement
Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. These partnerships allowed
for the JCDTF to be partially reimbursed for narcotics buy money and overtime costs
associated with the federal investigations. These investigations continued with four
additional OCDETF investigations formed in 2014.
In 2011, an agreement was signed with the Missouri National Guard to provide one
Intelligence Analyst to assist with long term investigations. An agreement was also
formed with The Office of Homeland Security (Formerly ICE) for the federal commission
of several JCDTF detectives to assist in long term, larger drug investigations. These
programs have continued in 2014.
Additionally, a JCDTF detective obtained a high level security clearance from the
Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist in an investigation involving high level,
international drug dealers who have set up sophisticated distribution networks in
Jackson County.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SEIZED/PURCHASED
2014 Marijuana Methamphetamine Crack/ Cocaine
PCP
Heroin
Synthetic
Pills
Pounds
101.0
159.5
4.9
0.1
18.8
0.2
N/A
Ounces
1,615.4
2,552.0
78.0
1.0
300.6
2.4
N/A
Grams
45,796.2
72,349.0
2,211.6
29.5
8,520.5
69.0
220.0
VALUE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES SEIZED/PURCHASED
2014 Marijuana Methamphetamine Crack/ Cocaine
PCP
Value $ 457,962 $
7,234,900 $
22,116 $ 1,475
Heroin
Synthetic Pills
$ 1,022,460 $ 2,760 $ 8,800
FIREARMS SEIZED/PURCHASED
Long Guns
$200 / each
Hand Guns
$400 / each
14
30
$6,000
$5,600
STATISTICS
2011
Cases Opened
Cases Closed
Search Warrants
Knock-n-Talks
Presentations
Narcotics Purchases
Money Recovered $
Meth Labs Processed
Marijuana Grows Processed
Psilocybin Mushroom Grows
2012
201
67
71
78
6
178
104,602 $
7
8
6
2013
124
206
73
66
10
180
411,048 $
1
3
0
2014
119
173
92
30
21
408
275,876 $
0
3
1
74
208
48
48
1
158
424,762
0
2
0
Prosecution Comparison Years 2011 – 2014
2011
Cases Presented
for Prosecution
85
State
2012
89
2013
2014
2011
65
98
186
Federal
2012
2013
250
128
2014
106
CASE COMPARISON
Total Cases Presented
Federal Cases
State Cases
Arrests
Detectives Funded
Value of Seized Narcotics
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
52
271
339
205
204
5
186
250
128
106
47
85
89
65
98
227
244
427
177
209
14
14
13
11
11
$ 1,054,321 $ 4,871,131 $ 4,116,215 $ 7,568,018 $ 8,984,042
2014 DRUG COMPLAINT REPORT
During 2014, the Jackson County Drug Task Force received a total of 73 Drug Complaints. The
following table is a statistical break down of the complaint location by jurisdiction and the
sources from which the complaints were received.
Jurisdiction
Blue Springs
Buckner
Grain Valley
Grandview
Greenwood
Independence
Jackson County
Kansas City, MO
Lake Lotawana
Lake Tapawingo
Lee’s Summit
Lone Jack
Oak Grove
Raytown
Sibley
Sugar Creek
Tarsney Lake
COMBAT
Confidential
Informant
E-Mail
Task Force
Phone Tips
Outside Agencies
Tips Hotline
Combat
Number of Complaints
Received
3
2
5
34
0
9
1
10
0
0
1
0
5
0
0
3
0
%
Source of Received
Complaints
%
4.1%
2.7%
6.8%
46.5%
0
12.3%
1.3%
13.6%
1.2%
0
1.3%
0
6.8%
0
0
4.1%
0
0
0
12
16.4%
28
28
5
38.4%
38.4%
6.8%
Significant Investigations
It should be noted that these are not all of the cases investigated, but some of the more noteworthy.
The Jackson County Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug
Enforcement Administration have been jointly investigating a drug trafficking conspiracy
that involved smuggling large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin from
Mexico for distribution in Jackson County and the Kansas City metropolitan area.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Operation Signed and
Sealed was a two year investigation into a drug trafficking organization that sold
approximately 746 pounds of methamphetamine, 250 kilograms of cocaine and multiple
kilograms of heroin in Jackson County with an estimated street value of more than $16
million.
This investigation resulted in 26 defendants being indicted on 70 counts of various drug,
firearms and financial crimes. Multiple search warrants were obtained for execution in
conjunction with the indictment warrants and a coordinated round up was initiated.
During this round, up a total of 6 firearms, including an AK-47 with a 100 round
magazine, 7.5 kilograms of heroin, 1 kilogram of cocaine and approximately $320,000 in
U.S. currency were seized from various locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area
and other locations across the United States.
Multiple packages that were being shipped/transported to this organization were
intercepted and seized during the investigation
Seizures from this case include:
Two (2) pounds of methamphetamine was intercepted on a car stop that left a possible
stash house. The vehicle was headed out of state and stopped in north Missouri. The
methamphetamine was located in two containers that had been taped, painted black,
and placed under the passenger’s wheel well. The suspects in the vehicle had been
previously identified in the investigation.
Three (3) pounds of methamphetamine were intercepted that had been shipped through
USPS from out of state. The methamphetamine was located in containers inside a
toaster oven.
A freight package that had been shipped to one of the defendants was intercepted and
ultimately found to contain 26 pounds of methamphetamine.
In another investigation, the JCDTF received information of possible loads of
methamphetamine being transported from out of state to an address in the Kansas City,
Missouri metropolitan area. Information provided was that methamphetamine was
being transported in vehicles that contained hidden compartments designed specifically
for the transportation of illegal contraband.
Acting on the information provided, Detectives of the JCDTF and Special Agent with the
DEA assigned to the JCDTF were able to locate the load vehicle and subsequently
follow the vehicle to a residence located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The
occupant of the residence was contacted and the load vehicle was recovered from the
residence and taken to a garage for further inspection.
Detectives located approximately 37 pounds of methamphetamine that had been
concealed inside specially constructed weld-sealed side rails located on each side of
the vehicle below the doors.
Acting on a tip, Detectives and Agents were able to obtain a search warrant for a
residence in Kansas City, Missouri that was believed to be a “stash house” for illegal
drugs being transported to Jackson County from out of state.
In a subsequent search of the residence, Detectives located a suspected “load vehicle”
parked inside the garage. A search warrant was obtained for that vehicle and a search
of the vehicle revealed approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside
a specially constructed compartment behind the firewall.
In a separate investigation, the JCDTF and HSI positively identified a residence in
Independence, Missouri that was a reported stash house and part of an ongoing HSI
investigation.
Detectives and HSI Agents searched the residence and recovered approximately 55
pounds of marijuana and 2 live marijuana plants.
Detectives responded to a call from the Grandview Police Department in which Officers
had discovered a marijuana grow operation inside a local residence. Detectives
obtained a search warrant and recovered 117 marijuana plants from inside the
residence.
After receiving an anonymous complaint, Detectives responded to a residence in
Grandview in reference to marijuana grow operation. During a subsequent search of
the residence, Detectives recovered several live marijuana plants that were growing
inside the residence.
DRUG TRENDS
Methamphetamine continues to be a problem in the
Metropolitan area. It is readily available, user prices are
reasonable and purity levels are acceptable. Local
production of methamphetamine has decreased
significantly in Jackson County however, continues to be
a concern from both an enforcement aspect and as a
public safety issue.
Methamphetamine Labs
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Jackson
County
9
7
7
1
0
0
Missouri
1774
1960
2096
1571
1105
800
Jackson County is seeing a decrease in methamphetamine clandestine laboratories.
Missouri however, is still listed as third in the nation in the number of methamphetamine
laboratory incidents recorded in the United States. The JCDTF works hand in hand with
most local pharmacies resulting in strict and real time enforcement of individuals
attempting to obtain pseudoephedrine to be utilized in the clandestine production of
methamphetamine. This partnership with the community and community businesses
has resulted in the significant decrease in methamphetamine laboratories in Jackson
County.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice 2014 National Drug Assessment report the
majority of methamphetamine available in the United States is Mexico-produced. It is
highly pure and potent and is increasingly available.
In Jackson County, methamphetamine is brought into the area in large quantities from
California, Texas and the Southwest Border States with the original source being drug
trafficking organizations from Mexico. These Mexican drug traffickers tend to work in
both cells and structured groups. These groups can be and are penetrated with longerterm investigations. The leaders of these organizations predominantly have no ties to
the area or the United States and thus they are flight risks. Members of the
organization use multiple identities in an effort to confuse authorities. Intelligence
information has been received that some wholesalers come to the area to deal large
amounts of methamphetamine for a short period of time, make what money they can
and then leave the area.
Cocaine and Crack Cocaine is available
throughout the metropolitan area. Indications are
that cocaine will continue to be a problem because
the incoming amounts translate to a product that is
relatively affordable and easily procured. Crack and
powder cocaine are prevalent in Eastern Jackson
County and together are judged to be the number
three (3) and four (4) drugs of choice behind
marijuana and methamphetamine.
Generally,
cocaine powder is brought into the metropolitan
area from Texas, the Southwest Border States and
California by Mexican drug trafficking organizations.
These organizations use a variety of transportation
techniques depending on the amount they are
bringing in. Once here, the drug is either sold in powder form or converted to crack.
Cocaine abuse ranges from casual users of powder to those addicted to crack and
other narcotics. Retail distributors are usually found to be individuals associated with
groups who have ties to Mexican drug trafficking organizations. These drug trafficking
organizations have direct ties to out of state and international sources. Enforcement
efforts and cooperative investigations have been, and continue to be, successful against
dealers, wholesalers and importers. Any investigation into individuals or smaller groups
always focuses on moving up the distribution chain.
Heroin is becoming more prevalent and available within
the metropolitan area (including eastern Jackson County),
and is being seen on a more regular basis. Dealers are
frequently individuals who possess and sell only small
amounts. Many of the dealers and abusers know each
other and operate as a small subculture.
Marijuana is readily available in all areas of Jackson County. It is the most abused and
preferred drug in the area, and has commonly been referred to as the “gateway
drug”. Marijuana is commonly found to be used in combination with other drugs and / or
narcotics.
The source for imported marijuana is usually the Southwest Border States and
California. Mexican organizations bring it across the US border for distribution with
other drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine. Over the past few years, more
imported marijuana is being seen throughout the metropolitan area.
Marijuana is either locally cultivated or imported into the area. In the suburban /
residential areas cultivation has been seen in small indoor grow operations. In rural
settings, outside the metropolitan area, marijuana is grown in large outdoor plots.
Mexican cartels have imported marijuana growers into rural areas and established large
outdoor grow operations. Enforcement of grow operations focuses on destruction of the
plants and prosecution of the offender, usually at the state level when there are no
extenuating circumstances or other crimes.
Designer Synthetic drugs are chemically laced substances similar to marijuana,
cocaine and methamphetamine. Based on their chemical makeup, these drugs are
commonly divided into two categories, Cannabinoids and Cathinones.
Cannabinoids, commonly known as K2 or spice, are chemically formulated versions of
synthetic marijuana that consist of a laboratory manufactured tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). This synthetic drug can contain a vast range of chemical formulations and
potencies that can be two to five hundred times stronger than THC. Synthetic
cannabinoids were originally developed in the early 2000’s to facilitate pharmacological
studies. In 2005 they began appearing in synthetic mixtures used to make drugs often
referred to as synthetic cannabis. This was the start of a trend of newly created
recreational designer drugs in European countries. In 2009, importation into the United
States and Canada began. The appearance is very similar to marijuana and composed
of a brown leafy plant material sprayed with the synthetic mixture. Once dried, it is
packaged for sale and labeled “Not for human consumption”.
Cathinones, often known as “bath salts”, contain chemical compounds that mimic the
effects of cocaine or methamphetamine. Bath salts are a powdered drug that contains
at
least
one
amphetamine
type
substance.
Typically,
that
is
methylenedioxypyrovalerone, known as MDPV.
It can also be methylone or
mephedrone. As with any designer drug, the composition of each batch can vary and
the drug can be smoked, snorted or injected. Bath salts are commonly marketed as
plant food and is labeled “not for human consumption” in order to circumvent laws
governing the supply of pharmaceuticals.
These designer drugs are extremely dangerous in that individual buyers do not know
what chemicals they are ingesting.
Designer drugs are commonly sold under the counter at gas stations, convenience
stores and tobacco and smoke shops throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area and
Jackson County.
The belief that any product manufactured with synthetic cannabinoids is legal is FALSE.
To date, all products containing either of these substances are regulated under
Schedule II of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
In 2013 / 2014, the JCDTF, DEA and other metropolitan area law enforcement agencies
coordinated an investigation targeting the synthetic drug industry in Jackson County and
the Kansas City metropolitan area. The investigation involved over 100 undercover
purchases of synthetic drugs at over 30 locations, including but not limited to,
Independence, Blue Springs, Raytown, Grandview, Kansas City Missouri, Kansas City
Kansas and Gladstone. This coordinated effort resulted in a noticeable decline in the
sales of synthetic drugs in Jackson County.
Psilocybin mushroom seemed to have taken a decline in popularity within the past
year. The temporary rise in grow operations seems to have discontinued. Psilocybin
mushrooms are not widely available on the open market at this time indicating that
abuse is not widespread.
MDMA/Ecstasy and LSD is available in Eastern Jackson County. This is a concern
because MDMA/Ecstasy and LSD users tend to be high school and college aged youth.
Both of these drugs are known to be used at popular parties known as raves and in club
settings. Manufacture of these drugs involves a complex chemical process and there is
no known production in the area. LSD is imported from California in a variety of
different methods. MDMA/Ecstasy is manufactured and imported from outside the US.
LSD has been encountered in sporadic instances but it does not appear to hold the
popularity or availability it once had in the area.
PCP (phencyclidine) is recognized as an extremely dangerous drug due to its
psychological effect on users. PCP is often applied to marijuana and smoked. In
previous years, availability ranged from somewhat limited in Eastern Jackson County to
easily obtainable in the center of the metropolitan area. Over the past year PCP is
becoming more easily available within Eastern Jackson County.
Oxycontin, Vicodin and other prescribed pharmaceutical drugs are commonly
abused in Jackson County. Diversion occurs through fraudulent prescriptions, “doctor
shopping”, robberies and burglaries. Abusers and dealers consist of individuals and / or
groups of individuals. Although not typically formed into organized groups, some of
these individuals are beginning to form into small networks for the purpose of
distribution and sales of the various pharmaceuticals. In several recent cases, the
suppliers are individuals that have obtained legitimate 30 day prescriptions, which they
in turn sell to the dealers at a drastic markup. The dealers would then sell the product
at 3-4 times their initial costs.
JACKSON COUNTY
DRUG TASK FORCE
2014
PRESS RELEASE
&
NEWS ARTICLES
Jackson County Executive to Recognize
Accomplishments of Drug Task Force
April 13, 2014 (KANSAS CITY, MO) – At Monday’s regular weekly meeting of the
Jackson County Legislature, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders will recognize the
efforts of the Jackson County Drug Task Force in fighting drug crime in the community.
Tomorrow’s legislative meeting will begin at 2:30 P.M. on the ground floor of the Eastern
Jackson County Courthouse in Independence (308 West Kansas, Independence,
Missouri).
For the third consecutive year, the Task Force has been named the Law Enforcement
Unit of the Year by the Missouri Narcotic Officers Association (MNOA). Additionally,
Dan Cummings, the Officer in Charge for the Task Force was named Officer of the Year
by the MNOA.
The Jackson County Drug Task Force was formed in 1986 and is comprised of
representatives from fourteen area law enforcement agencies including police
departments throughout the county as well as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and
Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Task Force is funded by the quarter-cent,
Community Backed Anti-Drug Sales Tax (COMBAT).
County Executive Sanders will be joined at the presentation by Jackson County Sheriff
Mike Sharp, Sugar Creek Police Chief Herb Soule, and Officer Cummings.
Peers Honor Jackson County Unit for Third Straight
Year
County Drug Task Force Named
Law Enforcement Unit of The
Year
When new investigators join the Jackson County Drug Task Force, Officer in Charge Dan
Cummings tells them, "I'm going to afford you the opportunity of a lifetime, and it's what
you make of it. You're going to work harder than ever before in your career, and you're
going to have the most fun you've ever
had."
Dan Cummings, Officer in Charge of the Jackson County
What's fun about perilous undercover Drug Task Force, thanks County Executive Mike Sanders,
work, dealing with dangerous drug Sheriff Mike Sharp, the County Legislature and Jackson
County COMBAT for the opportunity to lead a unit that has
traffickers?
now been honored for three straight years as the Missouri
Narcotic Officers Association Law Enforcement Unit of the
Cummings answered that question during
Year. The association also named Cummings its 2013 Officer
the Jackson County Legislature's of the Year.
meeting Monday, April 14: "I think we're
doing some really great things and
putting some really bad people in jail, which is really fun."
Their peers from throughout Missouri agree that Cummings and his Task Force team
are raising the standard for excellence with regard to "putting some really bad people in
jail." For the third consecutive year, the Missouri Narcotic Officers Association (MNOA)
has named the Jackson County Drug Task Force the Law Enforcement Unit of the Year. The
association also recognized Cummings as the 2013 Officer of the Year.
Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp and County Executive Mike Sanders each noted the
Drug Task Force exemplifies the criteria for the MNOA award, which cites "exemplary
performance by a unit resulting in a positive impact on the community."
"Without their dedication, we'd be at the mercy of the drug traffickers in eastern Jackson
County," Sharp said of Task Force investigators.
He described undercover narcotics detectives as a "different breed of cat," as they work
covertly to build cases against drug dealers.
"The men and women who do that for the Jackson County Drug Task Force put their lives on
the line each and every day," Sharp said, "putting themselves in situations that you and I
will never understand. I don't get it. I don't understand why they do it, but I thank God
every day that they do it for us."
205 Cases Presented To Prosecutors In 2013
County Executive Sanders emphasized the difficult nature of the work that the Task Force
takes part in.
"This is not low-level street crime we're talking about here," said Sanders. "This is high-end
drug trafficking they are dealing with."
In 2013, the Jackson County Drug Task
Force seized more than 29 pounds of
methamphetamines, 606 pounds of
marijuana, nearly 300 pounds of
synthetic narcotics, as well as large
amounts of crack and cocaine powder.
All told, these drugs had a street value
exceeding $7.5 million.
The Task Force's work resulted in 205
cases being presented to prosecutors in
2013, including 128 at the federal level.
Furthermore, 177 arrests were made.
The Drug Task Force is funded through
one
local
source,
COMBAT,
the
Community-Back Anti-drug Tax, which
is a one-quarter cent sales tax Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp points out there would be no
countywide.
Drug Task Force to cope with drug traffickers in eastern Jackson
County without citizens' support of Jackson County COMBAT.
Without citizens supporting COMBAT,
Sharp noted that the Sheriff's Office
and the smaller communities in eastern Jackson County would have no drug unit "nexus" to
cope with traffickers.
Sanders stated, "But for COMBAT, but for the funding it provides, we would have not had
those 205 cases presented for prosecution and the 177 arrests made for people selling
illegal narcotics in our community."
Being Picked No. 1 By Their Peers
Sanders also praised Sharp and Sugar Creek Police Chief Herb Soule for their leadership
serving on the Drug Task Force Executive Board, alongside the police chiefs from 11 other
Jackson County communities. Sanders called Soule "the intellectual architect" behind
implementing changes to the Drug Task Force, and he credited Sharp for, upon becoming
County Sheriff in 2009, "re-energizing the unit," while seeking out Cummings to lead the
Task Force.
"I've
gone
to
the
[MNOA]
annual conference the last couple of
years to see these awards handed out,"
Soule said. “It does me proud to see in
a room full of 3300, 400 people – all of
them Law Enforcement- that our people
are picked number 1.”
Rarely has the MNOA bestowed its two
highest
awards
upon
the
same
enforcement agency in the same year.
Cummings certainly fits Officer of the
Year award criteria of “exceptional
dedication to duty”, Sanders pointed
out.
I worked with Dan in the Prosecutor’s
Office, the County Executive said, “and
he earned the reputation as someone Sugar Creek Police Chief Herb Soule cites that the Jackson County
who didn’t just talk the talk, but walked Drug Task Force is being honored as the Law Enforcement Unit of
the walk. In the short time since Dan the Year -- for three years in a row -- by its law enforcement peers.
took over the Task Force, it’s gone from
a fine Unit to one that is now the best in the state and one of the best in the Midwest.
That’d due essentially to Dan’s leadership.”
The fact every member of the Jackson County Drug Task Force endorsed Cummings'
nomination for Officer of the Year demonstrated to Sheriff Sharp "the respect they all have
for Dan's leadership."
The respect is mutual.
"If it wasn't for the other 20 guys in the Task Force out there, I wouldn't be here,"
Cummings told the County Legislature. "I'm not the guy out there buying drugs. I didn't buy
one gram last year. Unfortunately, I can't parade my guys in here and let you thank them."
Jackson County Drug Task Force
Named Law Enforcement Unit of the Year
April 15, 2014 (KANSAS CITY, MO) – For the third consecutive year, the Jackson County
Drug Task Force has been recognized as the Law Enforcement Unit of the Year by the
Missouri Narcotic Officers Association (MNOA). Additionally, Dan Cummings, the Officer in
Charge for the Task Force has been named Officer of the Year by the MNOA.
“To receive this award three years in a row is a remarkable achievement,” said Jackson
County Executive Mike Sanders. “It is a testament to the members of the Task Force and
the hard work and long hours they put in to help rid our community of large amounts of
dangerous and illegal drugs.”
During 2013, Task Force operations led to the seizure of over 29 pounds of
methamphetamines, 606 pounds of marijuana, nearly 300 pounds of synthetic narcotics as
well as a large amount of crack and cocaine. The estimated street value of these seizures
alone is worth over $7.5 million. The Task Force also made 177 arrests in the last year
along with presenting 205 cases for prosecution.
“Over the years, the Jackson County Drug Task Force has proven to be a great asset to the
citizens and guests of Jackson County,” said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp. “I look
forward to our continued partnership in the future.”
The Jackson County Drug Task Force was formed in 1986 and is comprised of
representatives from fourteen area law enforcement agencies including police departments
throughout the county as well as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State
Highway Patrol. The Task Force is funded by the quarter-cent, Community Backed Anti-Drug
Sales Tax (COMBAT).
JACKSON COUNTY
COMBAT again tops in Missouri
Jeff Fox
jeff.fox@examiner.net
For the third year in a row, the Missouri Narcotics Officers Association has named
Jackson County’s locally funded drug task force the best law-enforcement unit in
the state.
“I think this has been a good run for the Jackson County Drug Task Force,”
County Executive Mike Sanders said Monday.
County residents pay a one-quarter cent sales tax — the community-based antidrug taxes, widely known as COMBAT — to fund a wide range of anti-drug efforts,
from prevention programs such as DARE to law enforcement and prosecution.
“That is a rare, rare thing that is done with essentially local funding,” Sanders said.
The drug task force covers all of Eastern Jackson County, drawing in officers from
various jurisdictions.
Last year, the task force made 177 arrests that led to 205 cases being presented
for possible prosecution — more than half of those being federal cases, officials
say.
“This isn’t low-level street crime,” said Sanders, who is a former county prosecutor.
“This is high-end drug trafficking.”
That work in 2013 also involved seizing more than $7.5 million in drugs, including
29 pounds of methamphetamine, 606 pounds of marijuana and close to 300
pounds of synthetic narcotics such as K-2 and bath salts.
Sanders cited the efforts of several key officials, including Sugar Creek Police Chief
Herb Soule, who has long been active with the design and function of the task
force.
“He’s a leader among local law enforcement,” Sanders said.
Soule was quick to credit others.
“The people who deserve the credit, first and foremost, are the people who work
the squad,” he said.
Sanders also credited Sheriff Mike Sharp with re-energizing the task force in recent
years. Sharp noted that it takes “a different breed of cat” to work narcotics.
“I don’t know why they do what they do, but I thank God every day that they do it for
us,” Sharp said.
In addition to the award for the task force, its officer in charge, Dan Cummings, was
named officer of the year. He also gave the credit to the officers on the streets.
“I think we’re doing some really great things and putting some really bad people in
jail, which is really fun,” Cummings said.
The officials spoke at Monday’s meeting of the County Legislature. Legislators
have a pending resolution in opposition to any attempts in Missouri to loosen
marijuana laws. During a hearing last week, experts described for them the toll
drugs take, particularly on young people. On Monday, there was no vote, as the
resolution was held again.
Copyright 2014, The Examiner, All Rights Reserved.
NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
TAMMY DICKINSON
Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ! (816) 426-4220 ! 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ! Kansas City, MO 64106
www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html
JANUARY 26, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION SIGNED AND SEALED
17 KC-AREA DEFENDANTS AMONG 26 INDICTED FOR
$16 MILLION DRUG-TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY
LARGE AMOUNTS OF METH, COCAINE, HEROIN SMUGGLED
FROM MEXICO FOR SALE IN KC AREA
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western
District of Missouri, announced today that 26 defendants have been indicted in a $16
million drug-trafficking conspiracy that involved smuggling large amounts of
methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin from Mexico for distribution in the Kansas City,
Mo., metropolitan area.
Operation Signed and Sealed was a two-year, multi-agency investigation into a
drug-trafficking organization that sold over 700 pounds of methamphetamine, 250
kilograms of cocaine and multiple kilograms of heroin in the Kansas City metropolitan area,
with an estimated total value of more than $16 million.
Jose Ramon Soto-Garcia, also known as “Monky,” “Mon,” and “Ramon Del
Monte,” 27, Jesus Hernandez-Mujica, also known as “Chenton,” 32, Ricardo HernandezMujica, also known as “Pollo,” 29, Maurio Belgrave, 31, Nefeg Isaac Aguilar-Valle, 27,
Alejandro Salas, also known as “Oliver Echeverry-Flamenco” and “Panocha,” 30, Sergio
Flores, 43, Sylvia Marron, 37, and Ivan Orion Rueda-Simental, 22, all of Kansas City, Mo.;
Missael Guadalupe Soto-Vejar, also known as “Missa,” “Narizon,” and “Flaco,” 26, and
Dennys Eliceo Sermeno-Campos, 27, both of Independence, Mo.; Aurelio JimenezCimental, 31, Iriarte Tadeo-Soto, also known as “Tantan,” 24, Antonio Arroyo-Cardenas,
also known as “Cholo,” 30, and Jose Gabriel Bernardo-Vasquez, 32, all of Kansas City,
Kan.; Rosalia Avila, also known as “Rosalia Diaz” and “Rosalia Flores,” 27, of Overland
Park, Kan.; Luis Miguel Lopez, also known as “Tito,” 29, of Shawnee, Kan.; Gilberto
Castillo-Soto, 38, of Culiacan, Sinoloa, Mexico; Victor Manuel Castillo-Soto, 40, and
Aurelia Castillo, 37, both of Van Nuys, Calif.; Jose Carlos Zazueta-Valenzuela, 26,
Francisco Alvarado-Soto, 28, and Monica Soto-Garcia, 29, all of Sun Valley, Calif.; Frankie
Eleazar Perez, 32, of Madera, Calif.; Oscar Alberto Lopez-Perez, 32, of Medellin,
Colombia; and Myrna Nora Saenz, 33, address unknown, were charged in an 11-count
indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury on Dec. 18, 2014. That indictment
was unsealed and made public following the arrests and initial court appearances of several
defendants.
Jose Soto-Garcia, Jesus Hernandez-Mujica, Ricardo Hernandez-Mujica, RuedaSimental, Soto-Vejar, Jimenez-Cimental, Tadeo-Soto, Arroyo-Cardenas, Gilberto CastilloSoto, Victor Castillo-Soto, Zazueta-Valenzuela, Alvarado-Soto and Monica Soto-Garcia are
all citizens of Mexico. Aguilar-Valle is a citizen of Honduras. Sermeno-Campos is a citizen
of El Salvador.
The federal indictment alleges that all 26 defendants participated in a conspiracy to
distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, five kilograms or more of cocaine and
one kilogram or more of heroin from June 2013 to June 2014.
According to the indictment, the drugs were transported from Mexico by Gilberto
Castillo-Soto to California and then transported or shipped by his brother, Victor CastilloSoto, and Zazueta-Valenzuela to Kansas City, Mo. Allegedly aiding in the California
portion of the drug-trafficking operation were Monica Soto-Garcia (Zazueta-Valenzuela’s
wife and Ramon Soto-Garcia’s sister), Aurelia Castillo (Victor Castillo-Soto’s wife) and
Perez. In addition to transporting the drugs themselves, conspirators also paid couriers to
deliver drugs to the Kansas City area.
The drugs arrived at the residences of co-conspirators, the indictment says, such as
Aguilar-Valle, then were picked up by Ramon Soto-Garcia. Ramon Soto-Garcia, along with
Missael Soto-Vejar, allegedly distributed the drugs to other members of the conspiracy,
including Aurelio Jimenez-Cimental, brothers Jesus and Ricardo Hernandez-Mujica,
Antonio Arroyo-Cardenas, Alejandro Salas, Dennys Sermeno-Campos, Jose BernardoVasquez, Ivan Rueda-Simental and Iriarte Tadeo-Sosa. These individuals allegedly supplied
drugs to their own customers. Because Ramon Soto-Garcia did not communicate well in
English, the indictment says, he employed his girlfriend, Rosalia Avila, to help translate for
him and also to transfer funds to pay for the narcotics.
The money from the drug sales was transferred back to California in a number of
ways, according to the indictment, such as shipments in computer towers by Dennys
Sermeno-Campos and the electronic transfer of funds by Rosalia Avila. Once in California,
the indictment says, the money would be physically transported to Mexico by Francisco
Alvarado-Soto.
For example, the indictment alleges that Dennys Sermeno-Campos attempted to ship
$76,000 that had been wrapped in eight bundles in duct tape, carbon paper and dryer sheets
and concealed within a hollowed-out computer tower from Raytown, Mo., to Sun Valley,
Calif., on July 15, 2013. According to the indictment, federal agents also seized a total of
approximately $180,000 that was similarly hidden in two computer towers on Sept. 10,
2013. They also seized $80,025 that was hidden inside a microwave oven on Sept. 17, 2013,
and $70,000 that was hidden inside a CD player on Sept. 26, 2013.
The indictment also alleges that Aurelio Jimenez-Cimental arranged a meeting
between an undercover law enforcement officer of the Jackson County Drug Task Force
and Oscar Lopez-Perez and Victor Castillo-Soto to discuss moving money to California.
During that Oct. 4, 2013, meeting, Oscar Lopez-Perez and Victor Castillo-Soto allegedly
attempted to give the undercover officer $350,000 to transport.
In addition to the drug-trafficking conspiracy, several defendants are also charged
with participating in a money-laundering conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Jose SotoGarcia, Gilberto Castillo-Soto, Victor Castillo-Soto, Jose Zazueta-Valenzuela, Missael
Soto-Vejar, Oscar Lopez-Perez, Aurelio Jimenez-Cimental, Francisco Alvarado-Soto,
Rosalia Avila, Dennys Sermeno-Campos and Aurelia Castillo participated in a conspiracy
to conduct financial transactions that involved the proceeds of the unlawful drug-trafficking
activity to promote the activity; these transactions allegedly were designed in whole or in
part to conceal the nature, the location, the source, the ownership and the control of the
proceeds.
In addition to the conspiracies, Jimenez-Cimental is charged with two counts of
distributing cocaine, two counts of distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and
one count of distributing heroin. Aguilar-Valle and Salas are also charged with one count of
possessing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Hernandez-Mujica is also charged with one count of possessing 50 grams or more of
methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and with one count of possessing a firearm in
furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
Aguilar-Valle is also charged with one count of being an illegal alien in possession
of a firearm. The indictment alleges that Aguilar-Valle was in possession of a Taurus .45caliber pistol on June 18, 2014.
The federal indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation, which would require all
26 defendants to forfeit to the government $16,017,200, which represents the proceeds
obtained as a result of the alleged offenses.
Dickinson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply
accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented
to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Clark. It was
investigated by the Jackson County Drug Task Force, Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement
Administration and the Kansas City, Mo, Police Department.
26 defendants indicted in Kansas Cityto-Mexico drug ring
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
01/27/2015 7:37 AM
01/27/2015 7:38 AM
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Comments
KANSAS CITY, MO.
Federal prosecutors say 26 people have been indicted in an alleged $16 million drugtrafficking operation between Mexico and Kansas City.
The U.S. Attorney's office said in a news release Monday the defendants distributed
more than 700 pounds methamphetamine, 250 kilograms of cocaine and large amounts
of heroin in the Kansas City area from June 2013 to June 2014. Several of the
defendants also are charged with money laundering.
Seventeen of those indicted live in the Kansas City area, with the others from California,
Mexico and Central and South America. A grand jury returned an 11-count indictment in
December, which was unsealed after arrests and initial court appearances of several
defendants.
Prosecutors say drugs and money were transported in such things as computer towers, a
microwave oven and a CD player.
Major Meth
Bust by
Jackson County
Drug Task
Force
$1 Million in Drugs off
the Street May 14, 2014
(KANSAS CITY, MO) – What do
you get when you combine a
tip from a concerned citizen
with the assets of the Jackson
County Drug Task Force and
the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Department? A
methamphetamine bust to the
tune of $1 million.
During a recent sweep, Officers
recovered
22
pounds
of
methamphetamine, according
to Dan Cummings, Officer in
Charge for the Task Force.
Valued
at
$1
million,
Cummings said the street
value was closer to $2 million.
The Task Force received a tip
about suspicious activity around a local house. That tip lead to the investigation and
subsequent bust.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department’s Tactical Team was instrumental in the operation.
Cummings said the Sheriff Department’s K9 Unit also quickly alerted officers to a vehicle,
where the drugs were found hidden inside a fender.
Cummings said two adult men, one an illegal immigrant, were taken into custody. A 16year-old at the home was turned over to juvenile authorities.
"This a major blow for the methamphetamine supply in Jackson County and the Kansas City
metro area," said Cummings. "When you take $2 million off the streets in one swoop, you
put a huge dent in it."
The cases have been turned over to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Jackson County Drug Task Force was formed in 1986 and is comprised of
representatives from fourteen area law enforcement agencies including police departments
throughout the county as well as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State
Highway Patrol. The Task Force is funded by the quarter-cent Community Backed Anti-Drug
Sales Tax (COMBAT).
NEWS RELEASE ARCHIVES | jacksongov.org
JACKSON COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE COMMITMENT
Jackson County is a primary market area for production, distribution and abuse of
dangerous drugs. Although progress has been made in many areas, continued
vigilance, enforcement, treatment and education is required. The Jackson County Drug
Task Force will continue its successful tradition through community partnerships and a
united cooperative effort against illegal narcotics.
Although limited by financial and personnel constraints, the Jackson County Drug Task
Force will continue to provide the citizens of these communities the professional service
that they have come to deserve and expect. The members of this Task Force have
made a commitment to this office, the law enforcement profession and the citizens of
this community that no information concerning the illegal sales of narcotics will go
without proper investigation. With that in mind, we will strive to continue to improve on
the quality of service to this community.
The Jackson County Drug Task Force actively solicits tips and information regarding all
illegal narcotics activity. Should the information be related to a jurisdiction outside of
Jackson County, personnel from this office will assure that the information is passed on
to the proper investigative agency. Individuals having information to pass on may
contact this office through phone in complaints at 816-655-DRUG, via the Jackson
County, Missouri Web Site, jacksongov.org, or through the TIPS hotline, 816- 474-TIPS.