As part of the operation, the Grand Island Police Departments tactical response team helped serve a warrant at a Grand Island residence on Tuesday morning, police Capt. The U.S. Attorney of the Nebraska District, Deb Gilg, referred to those taken into custody as a 'Whos Who' of major meth dealers in western Nebraska, likely supplied by drug cartels based in Mexico. 2020 (184) 2019 (185) 2018 (133) 2017 (91) 2016 (116) 2015 (127 . 2020 (875) 2019 (939) 2018 (840) 2017 (911) 2016 (877) 2015 (921) 2014 (843) 2013 (840) 2012 (303) 2011 (847) 2008 (10) 2007 (18) . A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Teams of local and federal officers were deployed to locations across the region and arrests began at exactly the same time to reduce the chance those being pursued would warn one another. Have a question about Government Services? U.S. Attorney Kelly praised the efforts of the Lincoln Police Department, the Lancaster County Attorneys Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies for coming together on this investigation and prosecution. Have a question about Government Services? Dean Elliott said. Marshals Service and Webster County Sheriffs Department. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The Nebraska State Patrol says in a news release that the marijuana was found Saturday afternoon, when a trooper noticed a commercial box truck stopped on the shoulder of eastbound I-80 near Cozad and stopped to help. A series of previous arrests stretching over the last three years brought on even more leads culminating in the police sweep this week. The list of those arrested, including 4 on state level charges, were made public at a press conference in North Platte Friday morning. I am the Cops & Courts Reporter for the Grand Island Independent. State troopers have found a massive load of marijuana worth about $5 million in a disabled commercial truck on Interstate 80 in south-central Nebraska. At approximately 3:35 p.m. Sunday, a trooper was on patrol on 27th Street near Interstate 80 in Lincoln when he saw what appeared to be two vehicles that had just had a crash. The Panhandle's WING drug task force was among those honored Tuesday in North Platte for its role in a drug bust dubbed the "largest drug bust in Nebraska history." The task force was recognized . Lock Milan Alexander, 42, who maintains residences in both Joplin and Webb City, was charged in a four-count . The Grand Island Police Department is part of the Central Nebraska Tri-Cities Drug and Safe Streets Task Force, which was involved in the joint operation. . The operation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, also included investigators from the Cooperative Operation for Drug Enforcement Drug Task Force and the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group, as well as Colorado law enforcement authorities. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. The individuals received federal indictments for distribution of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. News | Nebraska State Patrol Gilg and other law enforcement officials will announce details of the operation on Friday morning in North Platte. Putting these suspects in jail, he said, certainly impacted the safety of the citizens of North Platte for the better. You can cancel at any time. We cut off some tentacles.. (Courtesy NBC Nebraska). We will continue to investigate, arrest, and charge violent gang members who terrorize our community. Over the past year investigators, using informants and confidential methods, were able to track the meth deliveries through four states as they made their way north from the Mexican production facilities into Colorado and Nebraska. That operation was reportedly run out of a ranch house south of Big Springs, Nebraska just off the intersection of Interstates 80 and 76. Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KCCI-TV. Other defendants face up to 60 years in federal prison if convicted of their charges. 1620 Dodge St, Suite 1400 Omaha NE 68102, Omaha:(402) 661-3700 A year-long investigation . Connecting Nebraska through PBS, NPR and original content for nearly 70 years. The first of 60 suspected meth dealers appeared in federal court in Omaha Friday following their arrest in a "groundbreaking" series of police raids in western Nebraska and Colorado. The Grand Island Police Department and Hall County Sheriff's Department were among 29 law enforcement agencies that worked on one of the . Nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana found in truck in Nebraska. The indictment alleges, as part of the firearms conspiracy, the defendants stole firearms, to include a .45 caliber Smith and Wesson Tactical Handgun that was used in a homicide earlier this year, and purchased weapons illegally in order to arm juvenile members of the gang. One of largest drug busts in Nebraska history announced. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Departments past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. I welcome news tips! An Arizona man who was driving the truck was arrested. The Nebraska State Patrol says in a news release that the marijuana was found Saturday afternoon, when a trooper noticed a commercial box truck stopped on the shoulder of eastbound I-80 near Cozad and stopped to help. An official website of the United States government. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Glass, 47, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced today by Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. to 9 months incarceration for Conspiracy to Commit Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law. Seven from Panhandle indicted in 'one of the largest drug busts in By Bill Kelly , Senior Producer/Reporter Nebraska Public Media. Constance Baasch, 68, of rural Grand Island, died on Feb. 28 from injuries suffered in October. 22, 2023, for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Catherine Gibson, 45, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for her role in a methamphetamine conspiracy. The day before the raids more than 100 law enforcement officers gathered in a North Platte National Guard armory for a briefing on the mass raid. District of Nebraska | News | United States Department of Justice Please subscribe to keep reading. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. Saatva Mattress Review: Our Pick for the Best Overall Bed of 2023, We Found 12 Cute Planters and Flower Pots That Cost Less Than $25, Here's Where to Watch and Stream Marvel's 'Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' Online. Engaging more than 1 million Nebraskans each month through television, radio, online and mobile platforms.Your support is essential! Two years ago, we were gathered in North Platte to honor many of these same law enforcement officers who were being recognized with an award from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Gilg added. So many individuals were arrested at least one bus had to be used to make the trip. At least one of the 63 people indicted is a Grand Island resident, Elliott said. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Lincoln:(402) 437-5241. Other entities taking part were the Alliance Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriffs Department, Cheyenne County Sheriffs Department, Cozad Police Department, Dawson County Sheriffs Department, Deuel County Sheriffs Department, Gering Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriffs Department, North Platte Police Department, Ogallala Police Department, Perkins County Sheriffs Department, Red Willow County Sheriffs Department, Scottsbluff Police Department, Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs Department, Sidney Police Department, U.S. 1620 Dodge St, Suite 1400 Jeff Bahr. On the states south central border, residents of Blue Hill, in Webster County (population 915). United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Claude Parker, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on February 17, 2023, in federal court in Omaha for Felon in Possession of Ammunition. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Oliver J. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Omaha NE 68102, Omaha:(402) 661-3700 Feb 24, 2016 Updated Sep 3, 2020. News FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation A locked padlock The auto detailing shop in Blue Hill, Nebraska raided by the FBI this week. Several were well known to local law enforcement with many previous drug-related arrests. Someone found the victim Sunday, the sheriff's office andHamilton County Attorney's Office said. Lincoln, NEB. Suspects were brought to local jails for processing before being turned over to U.S. Marshalls for transport to Omaha for preliminary hearings in Federal District Court. Kelly added, Federal statutes provide effective tools to combat violent crimes involving firearms and the cooperation of all levels of law enforcement, as here, will keep our communities safe., After todays arrests, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, Protecting the public from violent criminals is a fundamental core of the FBI's mission. The patrol says the search turned up nearly 2,300 pounds of marijuana concealed inside cardboard boxes marked as electronics and other items. As of Friday afternoon, seven people were still at large. On the states south central border, residents of Blue Hill, in Webster County (population 915), told a reporter from NTV a local auto detailing shop was raided by FBI agents and sheriffs deputies. United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Derrick Lloyd, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. All are in custody without incident. An Arizona man who was driving the truck was arrested.