500 pounds of meth recovered in massive drug trafficking bust; 11 St. Louisians arrested

meth
Photo credit (Getty Images)

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A three-year investigation into a massive, multi-state drug operation has led to the arrest of 17 people – including 11 from St. Louis – and the recovery of a large amount of drugs, guns and cash.

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Suspects were arrested in Missouri, Arizona, California, and Mexico by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), United States Marshals Service (USMS), and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). A release from the US Attorney's Office of Eastern Missouri says they were mailing packages containing large amounts of the illegal drugs including fentanyl, heroin and crystal methamphetamine to be distributed in the St. Louis area and other cities.

Among the items seized include:
• Approximately 50 pounds of fentany
• 500 pounds of methamphetamine
• 50 firearms
• More than $400,000 in drug proceeds

Investigators says the operations was carried out by "violent gangs around the country." Among those arrested were 11 people from St. Louis:

Stephen Griffin: M, St. Louis, 27
Kenny Thomas: M, St. Louis, arrested in Mexico, 38
Raymundo Deleon: M, in custody in Los Angeles, 40
Kyanna Canales: F, arrested in Phoenix, 19
Ariel Navarez-Gonzalez: M, arrested in Phoenix, 20
Troy Mills: M, St. Louis, 30
Arieawn Dillon: M, St. Louis, 26
Daveon Barnes: M, St. Louis, 27
Dalvin Wiley: M, St. Louis, 29
Crystal Miller: F, St. Louis, 27
Latoya Wilson: F, St. Louis, 40
Steven Hilliard: M, St. Louis, 30
Andrew Prout: M, in custody in Missouri, 28
Ariel Randall: F, St. Louis, 26
Jessica Alvarez: F, arrested in Los Angeles, 40
Larry Martinez-Soto: M, arrested in Phoenix, 24
Sanela Demirovic: F, St. Louis, 31

Larry Martinez-Soto: M, arrested in Phoenix, 24
Sanela Demirovic: F, St. Louis, 31

Investigators says officers at the following police departments also assisted: Bellefontaine Neighbors, Shrewsbury, St. Louis Metropolitan, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Ballwin and Maryland Heights.

“The drug cell we dismantled with operations in various states in the United States and Mexico has no regard for the people around them and will take whatever actions necessary to protect their profit and themselves," DEA St. Louis Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey said. "This fact is evident by the significant amount of drugs, weapons and money seized in the multi-state, multi-agency operation. It’s important for everyone to keep in mind that no city is immune from the threat of drugs. The only way we can keep our streets safe is by working together to educate those around us on the dangers of these illegal substances and the threat associated with them.”

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