{"id":55510,"date":"2024-02-14T21:45:04","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T05:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=55510"},"modified":"2024-02-14T21:45:04","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T05:45:04","slug":"17-charged-in-scheme-to-smuggle-fentanyl-and-other-drugs-inside-fire-extinguishers-into-the-u-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=55510","title":{"rendered":"17 Charged in Scheme to Smuggle Fentanyl and Other Drugs Inside Fire Extinguishers into the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0LOS ANGELES\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0A final defendant was arrested on a federal grand jury indictment that alleges a scheme to smuggle fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin from Mexico into the United States, officials stated.<\/span><\/p>\n

The narcotics were allegedly packed into fire extinguishers and concealed in scrap metal loads, according to authorities.<\/span><\/p>\n

The drug trafficking organization used semi-trucks to import fire extinguishers filled with drugs across the United States-Mexico border, according to court documents.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInvestigators have observed multiple drug transactions involving truck drivers and their semi-trucks,\u201d according to the affidavit in support of the search warrant. \u201cThe truck driver would drive into the United States from Mexico and cross the border, usually carrying a load of scrap metal, and concealed inside would be a scrap metal fire extinguisher containing drugs. The truck driver would then make his way up to Los Angeles, to meet a courier, who would pick up the drug packed fire extinguishers for further distribution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"During the two-year investigation, called Operation \u201cSmoke Jumpers,\u201d authorities made 13 seizures that yielded approximately 680,992 fentanyl pills, 3 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 17 kilograms of heroin, and 10,418 pills containing methamphetamine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nine defendants were arrested during law enforcement operations that began on February 8 and continued through Monday. One defendant was already in state custody. Seven additional defendants are fugitives believed to be in Mexico.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese defendants used a sophisticated network to smuggle immense amounts of fentanyl into our country,\u201d said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. \u201cWe know that every fentanyl pill can kill, but these defendants did not care about the widespread destruction they were causing. Our office will continue to work intelligently and aggressively to bring international drug-trafficking organizations to justice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"\u201cLaw enforcement continues to meet the challenges presented by drug trafficking organizations whose members constantly find novel ways to hide the poison they\u2019re importing from Mexico to U.S. towns and cities,\u201d said Amir Ehsaei, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI\u2019s Los Angeles Field Office. \u201cThe FBI and our partners on the Strike Force are seeking seven fugitives in this case and ask that anyone with information as to their whereabouts contact the FBI.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 15-count indictment unsealed on February 8 charges various defendants in drug trafficking counts and a money laundering conspiracy. The nine defendants who were arrested are:<\/span><\/p>\n