infodrug@fanclub.pm, Author at Drug Busts Worldwide

Son of Sinaloa Cartel Member Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

On October 30, 2024, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Brian Jesus Zazueta, age 23, of Sunnyside, Washington, to 160 months in federal prison on drug trafficking charges. Judge Rice also imposed 5 years of supervised release. According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) developed information that Zazueta was working as a mid-level manager for a drug trafficking organization out of Mexico that was responsible for distributing drugs in Spokane and across Eastern Washington. Zazueta is the son of Adolfo Zazueta-Bueno, a significant member of the Sinaloa cartel. Zazueta-Bueno was a previous resident of the Tri-Cities area, but now resides in Sinaloa, Mexico where he runs his drug trafficking organization. Zazeuta was operating as his father’s eyes and ears in the United States; he is a U.S. Citizen and could travel freely to and from Mexico. Judge Rice found that Zazueta is a leader and organizer for his father’s operation and sentenced him accordingly. On March 9, 2023, the DEA and the Spokane Police Department executed a federal search warrant on a stash house in Kennewick, Washington. Zazueta was in the apartment along with more than 42,000 fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and heroin. Additionally, DEA found $6,000 in cash, receipts showing money transfers to Sinaloa, Mexico, drug scales, and ledgers with information about drug transactions. “By targeting drug trafficking organizations, we disrupt the supply of deadly drugs that are causing harm in our neighborhoods,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Mr. Zazueta was responsible for an organization distributing a large amount of illegal narcotics. Thanks to the excellent work by DEA, the Spokane Police Department, and federal prosecutors, Mr. Zazueta is headed to federal prison, and as a result, our communities are safer and stronger.” “Mr. Zazueta sowed the seeds of despair in Eastern Washington while he reaped the profits of his methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin distribution,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Thanks to the DEA, Spokane Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Zazueta learned that these actions had consequences and the sentence in this case should make others pause before selling drugs that harm our communities.” This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard. 31 October 2024 DEA

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Spanish Police Seize Record 13 Tonnes of Cocaine

Cocaine

Spanish authorities have reported a major cocaine seizure, marking the second-largest in European history and one of the largest globally. Law enforcement intercepted 13 tonnes of cocaine concealed in a shipment of bananas from Ecuador to southern Spain. The bust, announced by Spain’s national police force, underscores the scale of drug trafficking across Europe. “It’s clear these 13 tonnes weren’t solely for the Spanish market,” explained António Jesús Martínez, head of the central narcotics brigade. “This volume was meant for distribution throughout Europe.” The container, arriving last month at the port of Algeciras from Guayaquil, Ecuador, was flagged for inspection due to the exporter’s prior record of illicit trafficking. The operation, coordinated with Ecuadorian authorities, led to five raids and one arrest—the partner in the company set to receive the shipment. Two managers involved remain at large, according to Martínez. Previously, Spain’s largest cocaine seizure was 9.4 tonnes in 2023, also in Algeciras. In total, Spain intercepted 100 tonnes of cocaine last year, more than twice the amount in 2022. European countries are facing a surge in hard drugs, with cocaine trafficked from Latin America being a primary concern. Germany recently made Europe’s largest recorded bust, seizing 35.5 tonnes of cocaine concealed in fruit and vegetable shipments after a tip from Colombian authorities. In response to this growing threat, the EU launched the European Union Drug Agency (EUDA) this summer to combat organized drug networks. European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson emphasized that drug trafficking now poses a threat on par with terrorism, and the agency will work with countries like Ecuador to disrupt criminal networks. Meanwhile, drug production methods are shifting. Cocaine processing, traditionally confined to Latin America, is increasingly taking place within Europe itself. In 2022, 39 cocaine labs were dismantled across various EU countries, according to EUDA’s latest statistics. 7/11/2024

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Philadelphia CBP Officers Seize 170 Pounds of Marijuana Destined for the U.K.

Marijuana

It might be a wacky number of parcels, but this weed won’t be getting lit in London any time soon after Customs and Border Protection officers seized a combined 170 pounds of marijuana at a warehouse in Delaware County, Pa., on Monday. While examining export parcels at an international shipping service facility, CBP officers collected 35 parcels that contained marijuana. The parcels were shipped from multiple addresses in California and destined to multiple addresses in the United Kingdom. Seizing 35 export parcels of marijuana in one day is unusual for CBP officers in Philadelphia. The marijuana weighed a combined 77.4 kilograms, or 170 pounds and 10 ounces. It has a street value of about $800,000 in Philadelphia. Depending on potency, this haul could fetch two to three times more in London. “Though medical and recreational use of marijuana is being decriminalized in some U.S. states, marijuana possession and bulk smuggling remain illegal under federal law, and so Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to seize it when we encounter it,” said Cleatus Hunt, CBP’s Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “This is an unprecedented number of export marijuana parcels that we’ve seen, but they are also parcels that London consumers won’t see.” Federal law prohibits transporting marijuana across state lines or exporting it from the United States. However, CBP is observing a continuing trend of United States-based growers, retailers, and criminal organizations shipping or transporting marijuana to Europe and Africa where high-quality weed can fetch prices many times higher than in the U.S. CBP officers usually see the marijuana being exported in smaller parcels as in this seizure, but occasionally officers encounter travelers carrying marijuana-stuffed suitcases. Two weeks ago, Philadelphia CBP officers discovered 114 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the baggage of two women who attempted to board a flight to London. Every day, CBP officers and agents seized an average of 2,339 pounds of dangerous drugs last year at and between our nation’s air, sea, and land ports of entry. See CBP’s enforcement stats to see what other dangerous drugs CBP is encountering at our nation’s borders. CBP’s border security mission is led at our nation’s Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality. 11/06/2024 US Customs

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CBP officers seize $399K in cocaine

Cocaine

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Eagle Pass Port of Entry this week seized more than $399,000 in cocaine in a single enforcement action. “Our frontline CBP officers successfully utilized their training, experience and high tech tools to detect and interdict this significant quantity of cocaine in the passenger vehicle environment,” said Port Director Pete Beattie, Eagle Pass Port of Entry “Seizures like these exemplify CBP’s ongoing effort to uphold its border security mission and keeping our communities safe.” The seizure occurred on Nov. 4 at the Camino Real International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a 2015 Chevy driven by a 41-year-old female Mexican citizen for secondary inspection. CBP officers conducted a secondary examination that included utilization of a non-intrusive inspection system. Upon closer physical examination, CBP officers discovered 12 packages containing a total of 29.93 pounds of alleged cocaine within the vehicle. The narcotics had a street value of $399,740. CBP seized the narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver and initiated a criminal investigation. 11/07/2024 US Customs

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