carbonmarine
08-10-2004, 09:39 AM
Arrests made in alleged meth ring
By Brian Wedemeyer / Havasu News
Monday, August 9, 2004 11:27 PM MDT
A joint-agency investigation into a suspected methamphetamine ring along the Colorado River has led to four federal indictments and seven other drug-related arrests.
A federal grand jury recently indicted Norma Sylvia Locklear, 68, of Lake Havasu City; Gabriela Lopez Luque, 28, of Bullhead City; and Jose Angeles Hernandez, 27, of Parker, alleging they were involved in the sale and distribution of meth in the region. Daniel Lopez, age and hometown unidentified, also was indicted on conspiracy to possess with intent to sell.
Lake Havasu City police started the investigation nearly a year ago before getting assistance from several federal, state, local and tribal authorities. The alleged meth ring extended from Bullhead City to Parker.
"Everybody worked together really well," said Sgt. Patrick Wilson of the Lake Havasu City Police. "It gave us much success up and down the river. This was not just centrally located in Lake Havasu."
After executing six search warrants simultaneously July 22, including four in Lake Havasu City, police recovered close to a pound of meth combined with a street value of about $45,000. Police also seized nine handguns and rifles, nearly $10,000 in cash, three vehicles and a boat.
"Methamphetamine is a devastating, addictive drug that destroys human dignity and disrupts the peace and security of our communities," said Timothy Landrum, a DEA special agent in charge. "The arrests of these subjects and the inhibition of their profits will effectively reduce a significant amount of this deadly product from coming to our neighborhoods."
Depending on the weight of the meth involved in each case, the four people with federal charges face maximum sentences ranging from 40 years to life in prison if convicted. An indictment is described as simply a method by which a person is charged and does not raise inference of guilt.
Seven other people were arrested on state drug offenses, including David and Heather Jotblad of Lake Havasu City; Mark and Brooke Robinson of Lake Havasu City; Robert Coronado, Carlos Lopez and Julia Cruz.
Other agencies involved in the investigation included the DEA, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Colorado River Indian Tribes, La Paz County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Mohave Area General Narcotics Enforcement and the Parker and Bullhead City police departments.
By Brian Wedemeyer / Havasu News
Monday, August 9, 2004 11:27 PM MDT
A joint-agency investigation into a suspected methamphetamine ring along the Colorado River has led to four federal indictments and seven other drug-related arrests.
A federal grand jury recently indicted Norma Sylvia Locklear, 68, of Lake Havasu City; Gabriela Lopez Luque, 28, of Bullhead City; and Jose Angeles Hernandez, 27, of Parker, alleging they were involved in the sale and distribution of meth in the region. Daniel Lopez, age and hometown unidentified, also was indicted on conspiracy to possess with intent to sell.
Lake Havasu City police started the investigation nearly a year ago before getting assistance from several federal, state, local and tribal authorities. The alleged meth ring extended from Bullhead City to Parker.
"Everybody worked together really well," said Sgt. Patrick Wilson of the Lake Havasu City Police. "It gave us much success up and down the river. This was not just centrally located in Lake Havasu."
After executing six search warrants simultaneously July 22, including four in Lake Havasu City, police recovered close to a pound of meth combined with a street value of about $45,000. Police also seized nine handguns and rifles, nearly $10,000 in cash, three vehicles and a boat.
"Methamphetamine is a devastating, addictive drug that destroys human dignity and disrupts the peace and security of our communities," said Timothy Landrum, a DEA special agent in charge. "The arrests of these subjects and the inhibition of their profits will effectively reduce a significant amount of this deadly product from coming to our neighborhoods."
Depending on the weight of the meth involved in each case, the four people with federal charges face maximum sentences ranging from 40 years to life in prison if convicted. An indictment is described as simply a method by which a person is charged and does not raise inference of guilt.
Seven other people were arrested on state drug offenses, including David and Heather Jotblad of Lake Havasu City; Mark and Brooke Robinson of Lake Havasu City; Robert Coronado, Carlos Lopez and Julia Cruz.
Other agencies involved in the investigation included the DEA, FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Colorado River Indian Tribes, La Paz County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Mohave Area General Narcotics Enforcement and the Parker and Bullhead City police departments.