"We have been assured that the District Attorney will continue to prioritize drug cases that are associated with violence in addition to cases involving drug sales and trafficking. That's a painful lesson. Platt credits his mother, activist Carrie Graves, for influencing his desire to help Black people. 2018 Petabit Scale, All Rights Reserved. U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, Eight Charged In Drug Conspiracy Operating In Mecklenburg County, South Carolina Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced To More Than 12 Years In Federal Prison, Bulk Fentanyl Trafficker Is Convicted Of Drug And Gun Charges, Prolific Wadesboro Methamphetamine Trafficker And Co-Conspirator Are Sentenced To Prison, Emilio Mejia, 28, of Charlotte. They stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. During the investigation, federal agents identified multiple apartments and homes in the metro-Atlanta area that Daniels allegedly used to prepare and distribute drugs. A separate criminal indictment was filed charging Brandy Nicole Short, 34, of Gastonia, N.C. with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, bringing the total number of those arrested in connection this investigation to nine. Feb 24, 2023. "My biggest problem is, I think we've had a very violent year," he said. (His mother, who also sold drugs, died when 50 Cent was 8.) WebFAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Fayetteville police have seized nearly one ton of marijuana, 26 kilograms of cocaine and more than $3 million in cash -- the largest drug bust in city Since early 2011, CJNGhassmuggled hundreds of millions of dollars of drugs over the borderinto the U.S., spreading into atleast35 stateswith a sophisticated network thathas usedless populated rural areas to quietly movetons of product, a Courier Journal investigation found. 134 likes. Charlotte, NC 28202, Charlotte: (704) 344-6222 For her, the new policy is a full circle moment. Have a question about Government Services? WebThe $4 Million and Drug Story From March 2019 to September 2019, Cheng Cam Yang led a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy operating in Caldwell County, North Carolina Maybe about a quarter of the time, (the dealer) will talk to us and tell us how it is. Catalyzing Growth: Using Data to Change Child Care. CHARLOTTE, N.C. United States Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced today that eight individuals are facing federal drug conspiracy charges for their involvement in a narcotics distribution ring operating in Mecklenburg County. You made choices, you decided to do what you decided to do and there are consequences, Platt said. Theylivedin Roger Dales fathers house among hundreds of miscellaneous items theyd obtained by bartering withtheir drug-addictedcustomers, who would give up anything for a bag of dope. I joked with Roger that there was a job opening, Lisa Dawn said. No telling how many lives will be saved by the collaborative efforts of all the agencies working together, said Chief Chuck Atkinson of the Doraville Police Department. Vice officers confiscated three guns, around $15,000 and a quarter kilo of cocaine. If youre in Charlotte and looking for reliable RV sales, then Carolina Coach & Marine is a good business to visit as it has served the community for years. WebCharges contained in the 41-count indictment range from drug conspiracy involving cocaine, heroin, and marijuana; operation of a "crack house" at 2317 Dundeen Street in Charlotte; Bennett made his connection to the cartel while he was locked up in Louisiana. We must do everything we can to combat these deadly drugs and the many crimes they bring with them," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney. I could have been mad at (his father), I could have been angry but I wouldnt be here with you today.. (arrested), Rodolfo Medina, 47, of Charlotte. Some of the defendants face additional drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. Afterspending more than two years in federal prison,Lisa Dawn recalled the absurd lifestyleshe and Roger Dale had while running their small-town empire. His mayhem came to an end when he was arrested and jailed at 16. We're sure he found that to be a vast improvement on his life. WebNorth Carolina Drug Dealers Exposed. "If its coming from a cartel, they could have sold a pound to Asians, black guys, outlaw motorcycle gangs, white trash, said Ashe County Sheriffs Lt. Jeremy Williams, whose testimony helped convict a trafficker connected to CJNGin 2014. Looks like Marky Mark thinks he should get special treatment. Kachmar reviewed hundreds of pages of court records and interviewed law enforcement, attorneys and a woman convicted in one of those conspiracies. Evangelous says none of the four men saw the bust coming. "With 100 homicides a year, I do not have time to carry those (drug) cases for two-and-a-half years and I think most people would agree on that," Merriweather said. Frustrated by three-hour holdups for a quarter-bag of crystal meth delivered by a man folks called Bones, the couple from Lenoir, North Carolina,started thinking about alternativesin thewinterof2013. Before becoming an actor, Idris Elba worked a number of odd jobs: DJ, doorman, and drug dealer. That doesn't happen by being locked up. Roger Dale tookinformation abouthis connections to the grave when he diedof a heart attackin federal prison in 2017. Lisa Dawn recalled the night she and Roger Dale got arrested. In the meantime, those arrested for minor drug charges remain caught between competing policies. Rodolfo Medina and Martha Beltran are also facing charges of international money laundering, stemming from money transfers of drug proceeds wired to Mexico. Fayetteville police initiated a drug smuggling investigation in 2006, which has led to the biggest bust in the city's history. Domestic Cannabis Suppression / Eradication Program, Red Ribbon Toolkit - Resources For Your Community, DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Intelligence Research Specialist Job Announcements, Schedule A Hiring Authority: Intelligence Research Specialist, Privacy Impact Assessment and Management Information Systems, Victim Witness Assistance Program Resources. Somebody would tell me, I got a hot water heater out here thats about brand new, can I trade it for a bag of dope? OK.Redneck drug dealing, I guess.. According to CMPD records, officers have arrested more than 30 people on charges of possession and sale of cocaine and opium since December 1, 2020. Child Care Aware of America is dedicated to serving our nations military and DoD families. When Roger Dale woke up andwas escorted by police to a nearby tree lineto relieve himself,one of the officers observed thata large amountof crystal meth fell out of his pants. His office is no longer prosecuting most marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine possession cases, including some involving suspected drug dealers and not just misdemeanors; felonies too. Inside a home in Atlanta, agents found 142 kilograms of heroin and four kilograms of cocaine. TheMexican Americanworked 40 to 50 hours a week at two well-known construction companies driving a dump truck. Records show since Dec.1, CMPD officers have made more than 30 arrests for possession of hard drugs or intent to sell them. In Catawba County, these seizures reflect excellent working relationships and partnerships between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Police were able to proveto a jurythat Saldana smuggled about 20 pounds of methworthmore than $1 million, 1,500 miles to North Carolina and Virginia from Brownsville. Ive always had a desire to help people, even when I was out there dealing drugs, Platt said. The money laundering charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Platt was surrounded by violence during his adolescence, and even in his home. (arrested), Kevin Eliezer Velasquez Melendez, 18, of Concord, N.C. (previously arrested on a complaint), Alejandro Jose Lopez Ceballos, 20, residence unknown. Spurred by his own fierce addiction, Roger Dale used his connections to gain access to mass quantities of nearly pure crystal meth, dispensing kilograms of drugs that had been smuggled into the region from cartel labs in Mexico. Not only does she question the fairness of continuing to arrest people, she also questions the department's use of resources, especially as violence in the city continues. Police arrested James Brown, Christopher Gause and Bryan Walker Tuesday for trafficking cocaine. It was a symbiotic relationship that allowed Roger Dale and Lisa Dawns drug business to thrive. "Hell no!" CMPD declined WCNC Charlotte's request for an interview, but conceded, instead of arresting people, officers have the discretion to confiscate their drugs, write a report and move on. . Hes been kind of preparing for it for a number of years now, she said. MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. As coronavirus pandemic-related court shutdowns continue to delay trials, Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather is taking drastic action in an effort to prosecute more homicides and violent crimes. Detectives discovered the majority of the suspects in the case attended the same high schools in Fayetteville in the late 1970s. She didnt know Roger Dale was dealing withacartel. Platts credibility within the community and suitability for the job makes his hiring a perfect fit, he said. Methseizuresalong theMexicanborder increased 255% fromabout 8,400 kilos in2012 to30,000 in2017,according to Drug Enforcement Administration data. A gunsmith who liked cocaine would handmake their bullets, Lisa Dawn said. STAY CLEAR !!! These results would not be possible without them.. She wasdriving around with adrunk, passed outRoger Dale in the red Mustang thatsomeone had tradedthem for$2,000 and some dope. Lock CMPD officers continue to have the discretion to arrest as they perform their duty.". Biggie began selling drugs at the age of 12, and dropped out of school at the age of 17 to pursue crime as a full-time career, according to Ready to Die, a biography chronicling his life. (arrested) Rodolfo Medina, Jose Reyes, and Kevin Velasquez Melendez are also charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin. Either way, his passion in life was always music, and he managed to get away from dealing and become a very successful performer. we asked Puckett Williams, who protested CMPD in 2020. Browse our hundreds of reports, webinars, one-pagers and checklists covering many topics related to child care. WebOver 20 kilograms of cocaine and heroin were sold on the streets. The penalties associated with the drug charges range from a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of up to life in prison and a monetary fine of up to $10 million. The ledgers reflected that Daniels returned more than $31 million in drug proceeds to the organization that were eventually transported to Mexico. After partnering with federal drug enforcement agents, Fayetteville police seized drugs, cash, cars and houses. We never met nobody.. Not only does Jay Z not hide his drug-dealing past, he credits it with teaching him the entrepreneurial skills he uses to build his fortune and brand, according to an article in Vanity Fair. Back in his younger days, he was quite the hellraiser, to put it lightly. Brown is being held under a $150,000 bond and Gause is being held under a $450,000 bond. Bennett andNunnenkampboughtat least 10 pounds of crystal meth every month, he said. From an early age, Belton Platt says, he had a desire to help his people. We bring unity.. "It is well known that commercial trucking is one of, if not the single most common way that money and drugs are traversed to and from the Southwest border," Rowan County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy David Ramsey said. Avehiclefrom Texasparkedat the Walmart in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Williams said. All arrests stem Sheunderstands the hold the cartels super drugs have on the region, and a surplus of would-be dealers eager tofollow in her footsteps no matter thedanger. In 2014, he entered a plea to have his criminal past erased, as it interferes with business ventures, according to CBS News. Hugo Curbello and Lilia Parada, are reputed to be among the largest cocaine dealers in the city. The defendants named in the 33-count indictment are all charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. "It's not fair, number one just off the surface level of being arrested for a mental health condition. We would go to McDonalds. Investigative reporter Kala Kachmar and photographer Alton Strupp traveled to Charlotte and rural counties in North Carolina to find out more about drug rings connected CJNG. ", RELATED: Millions in cash found hidden in barrels with raw pork shoulders. Now 50 years old,Lisa Dawn has been clean since she was released from a halfway house in July 2017 following herprisonsentence, and reports to a parole officer. Local, state and federal agents in this mountainous regionhave seized more than 200 kilograms of meth, dozens of guns and more than $1 million in cash and assets, said Chris Healy, special agent in charge of Homeland Security based in Charlotte. These kids are out here killing, and theyre out here being killed, because they lack knowledge, Platt said. These aren't young guys. After her arrest in Mecklenburg County, a police officer advocated that she receive treatment rather than incarceration and Merriweather, then an assistant district attorney, handled her case. After that, Biggie went biggie time. Kaufman, who prosecutes Dixie Crystal cases,told The Courier Journal that he couldn't discuss specific trafficking organizations,but he said the task force'sefforts have "disrupted the networks" in the region and will "continue to do so.". (arrested). Bobbie Overbey is charged with possession of the drug. At the height of Dodge Citys brutal crack epidemic, Rayful distributed 60 percent of the cocaine that flooded the citys streets. Assistant U.S. 2023www.courier-journal.com. As crazy as that sounds, he really did.. We would get out of the car and the Mexican guys that we never met put the drugs in the car and picked up the money and walked away, Lisa Dawn said. Too many families have lost loved ones as a result of this epidemic, so every drug dealer taken off the street is potentially saving someones life,said Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey. While incarcerated, Platt said he realized that he couldnt blame the white man, his abusive father or anybody else. The cartels know this and they're going to fill that demand.". Because it's here, Mexican cartel in US: Rural folks who cant escape drug trade end up locked up or dead, A dangerous Mexican drug cartel has infiltrated the addicted, mountainous region of North Carolina. The youth ranging from ages 12 to 25 participate in basketball, other team activities and empowerment sessions. This case illustrates the devastating impact that violence fueled by drug trafficking can have on our communities. Drug traffickers, and the organizations they work with, use fear and violence to enrich themselves with little regard for the communities they destroy in the process. Another man, who also liked drugs, was the in-house cook and Roger Dales all-night pool partner. He tried beating them at their own game, and became one of the biggest drug dealers in Charlotte in the 1980s. This investigation is a good example of what ATF agents do on a daily basis. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested 18 people and The FBI will continue to join forces with our state and local law enforcements partners to track down these offenders to end the deadly cycle of drug abuse in our communities, said John Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina. Saldana had multiple couriers who moved the money south and the drugs north. It sentin at leastfive trusted, high-levelcartel memberswhoset up North Carolina stash houses and front businesses in metro Charlotte, Hickory(a suburban town of about 40,000 an hour north of Charlotte)and nearby Johnson City, Tennessee,federal agents say. Don't get him wrong though, it's not like he's proud of what he did. He said he sold drugs because he had to, adding, "I know that sounds corny, but this is the truth." The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested 18 people and seized $3.5 million in heroin, meth, and cocaine in March 2019. He got caught dealing several times, but it wasn't until he sold cocaine to an undercover cop in 1994 that he faced some serious jail timethree to nine years. Drugs and weapons in the hands of drug dealers are some of the deadliest killers on our streets. #Defenders pic.twitter.com/EkfeqwuF4L. CLAYTON, North Carolina (WTVD) -- In the biggest drug operation in department history, Clayton Police put 19 people behind bars Wednesday after a series of early morning raids. At a press conference at CMPD's Eastway division, the FBI announced 19 people were arrested as we asked. - See 35 traveler reviews, candid photos, and great deals for Knights Inn Charlotte South at Tripadvisor. All rights reserved. Police arrested James Brown, Christopher Gause and Bryan Walker Tuesday for trafficking cocaine. Bennetttookthe car tohis auto shop. I could have given up, but I had to keep moving and I had to keep living, he said. Conaway said the meth is shipped in liquid form to Atlanta where it's converted to crystal meth and brought to the Charlotte-area, often in tractor-trailers. His arrest removes yet another dangerous criminal from our streets and sends a clear message to others who may choose to follow the same perilous path. Looking for fee assistance or respite care? CJNG hid drugs on trucks shipping furniture, ceramics and produce into the U.S. through Texas cities such as Brownville, Laredo and McAllen, Healy said. Right now meth is at an all-time high in purity and an all-time low in price.". And while there are no harrowing stories tied to those days, except for an arrest for possession with intent to sell, it turns out Snoop had some celebrity clientele. Jonathan Limehouse is a breaking news reporter and covers all major happenings in the Charlotte area. Merriweather said he modeled the change after other cities, including similarly sized Santa Clara. What's the state of child care in your state. On Feb. 21, police arrested Donald Wayne Miles at his Texas residence. Main Office: ", The @CMPD email, which comes in response to our investigation, also reminds officers, instead of making arrests, they can seize drugs and divert people to a treatment center on the spot, something the agency is hoping to track. When I started doing it and people were, like, giving me the clothes off their back, (I realized) Im more addicted to selling the drugs than I am to the drugs themselves," she said. RELATED: CMPD: 18 arrested, $3.5 million worth of drugs seized after year-long investigation, "The Mexican drug cartels that we're dealing with, they only have one thing in mind and that is profit," Conaway said. Though he only served a 45-day stint, he knew he had to change his life, and he did, with the help of his brother Donnie, then of New Kids on the Block. This is a match made in heaven, Platt said. Strong; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Wayne Dixie; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, Charlotte Field Office (IRS-CI) under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew D. Line; officers of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department under the direction of Chief Kerr Putney; the Gastonia Police Department under the direction of Chief Robert C. Helton; the Monroe Police Department under the direction of Chief J. Bryan Gilliard; and deputies of the Union County Sheriffs Office under the direction of Sheriff Eddie Cathey. "Overall, meth is king right now," Conaway said. "I was in treatment for 10 months and came out on the other side," she said. In total, agents seized approximately 170 kilograms of heroin, 10 kilograms of cocaine, eight kilograms of marijuana, more than $1 million in cash, and 41 firearms. WebASHEVILLE, N.C. (Gray News) - Police in North Carolina said a tip helped lead them to their biggest drug bust in Buncombe Countys history. A federal jury convictedRoger Dale in July 2015 for drug trafficking and possession of firearms. God was preparing me to come back to Charlotte.. Bennett andNunnenkampwereamong severalmajormethtraffickerswho operatedout of this cluster of North Carolina counties, drivenbythe explosion of meth into the regionfrom CJNG and other cartels. WebOne of North Carolina Most Notorious Drug Dealers caught slipping! #Defenders pic.twitter.com/xxObFDf5W1. On July 27, 2020, agents executed federal search warrants at those locations, which resulted in Daniels arrest and the seizure of a large amount of drugs, money, and weapons. Drug abuse is a growing concern across North Carolina. (arrested), Martha Olivia Placencia Beltran, 48, of Charlotte. A 21-year federal prison sentence later, Platt, now 57, is shedding the Money Rock nickname he earned during his drug-dealing heyday to focus on helping prevent others from going down the same destructive path. That place is for prostitutes, druggies, drug dealers, etc. WebHis office is no longer prosecuting most marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine possession cases, including some involving suspected drug dealers and not just Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The idea of drug decriminalization, especially to this degree, remains controversial. "Law enforcement has been successful in making strides towards identifying these trafficking patterns by utilizing a myriad of investigative techniques. The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEAs interactive websites at www.justhinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.campusdrugprevention.org and www.dea.gov. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv. What do you want? But the way he went about improving his community also hurt it. In New York Magazine, he explains his turn toward dealing, saying, "When you grow up without finances, it starts to feel like finances are the answers to all of your problems," and drugs were the easiest solution. WebFENTANYL DRUG DEALER IS CONVICTED TO PRISON FOR DRUGS AND GUNS Also on that date a second search warrant was executed at a storage unit rented by Juan at a Take that, ivy-league business school. According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges, and other information presented in court: In October 2019, federal agents uncovered ledgers from a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization showing that Daniels received just over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine between August 2018 and October 2019. It is unclear if they are involved in heroin trafficking. For 28 years,Saldanalivedat the same North Carolina address on Ervin Houck Drive in West Jefferson, a rural town of about 1,300roughly 100 miles north of Charlotte. Asheville:(828) 271-4661. HICKORY, N.C. RogerDale Franklin and Lisa Dawn Wentworth got tired of waiting on the dope man. The one thing that made him quit dealing was Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs forcing him to do so, allegedly. We use basketball to help them cross those barriers that they would not normally cross if they were just out there in the streets, Platt said. WebBiggie began selling drugs at the age of 12, and dropped out of school at the age of 17 to pursue crime as a full-time career, according to Ready to Die, a biography chronicling his Officers say he was dealing mass quantities of cocaine out of his business X-Slave Fashions on Castle Street. Trailer-park champion Kid Rock sold drugs before he hit it big in the music industry. #Defenders. I want to educate them.. (previously arrested on a complaint), Mauco Contreras, 21, of Charlotte. Who is El Mencho, the most powerful drug kingpin in the world? What Lisa Dawn didnt know was thatherboyfriendsconnections weredeeply rooted inoneof themost dangerous drug cartels in the world a rising power thathassaturatedthe U.S.with ultra-puremethamphetamine,cocaine, heroin and fentanylfrom Californiaand AlaskatoMississippiandVirginia. Two men face drug charges after the bust. They take their sentence on the chin.. Hereceiveda 40-year sentencebecause of his priorrecord. I learned that that was my place of preparation, he said of Conway. "I have to leave to law enforcement what they do on the street and what strategies they decide to employ," Merriweather replied. Child Care Aware of America is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under the internal revenue code section 501(c)(3) and the organizations Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 94-3060756. WebIn October 2019 Elio Godinez orchestrated a $15,500 drug deal involving the sell of 2 kilograms (bricks) of methamphetamine. In Charlotteand the nearby mountain counties, othercartels have supplied drugs to the region, but CJNG has been the mostdominant. Lisa Dawnsaidshe knew one sourceof theirdrugswasthe Mexicans, but shed never heard of CJNG. Emilio Mejia, Kevin Velasquez Melendez, Mauco Contreras, and Alejandro Ceballos are charged with additional counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. That was the beginning of a new era of Belton Lamont Platts life.. Nunnenkamp,now 46,toldpolice he helped distributenearly 8pounds of meth at $20,000 a pound at Bennetts direction and helped count and package $120,000 to pay for more shipments from the Texas supplier. "It's the largest bust that I know of in Fayetteville in my 25 years," said Captain Bobby Chapman, narcotic vice supervisor. she replied. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. "People want homicides tried in Mecklenburg County, people want to make sure that violent crime offenders are held accountable in a court of law in Mecklenburg County and we need to make sure we're doing that," he said. Rather than bring those people to trial, prosecutors will refer them to voluntary treatment programs. While the advocate applauds the actions of prosecutors, she condemns the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's reaction to his policy change. For those caught with just enough drugs for themselves, prosecutors won't pursue cases unless guns are involved, there's a connection to violence or police have arrested the same person multiple times within a year for similar crimes. ", RELATED: Iredell County deputies make three major drug arrests in the span of one week, ACLU Smart Justice Campaign Manager Kristie Puckett Williams calls Merriweather "a trailblazer. Mexican drug lord's super cartel infiltrates US small towns, How a Mexican cartel turned a rural area into a hidden cocaine hub, One mistake trapped a desperate dad in a Mexican drug cartel's web. And many dealershave no idea theyre connected to a dangerous cartel, he said. The department's Narcotics Vice Interdiction Team began its drug smuggling investigation in 2006. Instead, she took a plea. He said buyers are interested in what they consider to be the benefits of the drug. Behind the History: Mayor Vi Lyles is Charlotte's first African American female mayor, Pictures of vehicles released in search for missing SC 6-year-old girl, Housing Boom: Micro-apartments are popping up in South End, Man arrested for burglary after seen on camera terrorizing Charlotte neighborhood. That was part of the problem. ATLANTA Antonio DaShawn Daniels has been indicted on federal charges related to possession with the intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Of course, once acting began to pan out for him, he gave up dealing, but he was able to draw from his experience while portraying the drug dealer Stringer Bell on HBO's The Wire. "When they know English and are familiar with the law, they can communicate with law enforcement to cover up what they're doing," he said. Your message has not been sent. All rights reserved. That case stopped with him, but he was connected to the CJNG.. Looking back, Lisa Dawn said selling meth where the addiction is rampant was easy. Wilmington police say they've rounded up four "big time" drug dealers. He said communities are seeing results from these investigative techniques. According to allegations contained in the criminal indictment and other filed court documents, from 2015 until the present, the defendants operated as a drug conspiracy responsible for trafficking methamphetamine and heroin in Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas. He said the largest cartel operating in the Charlotte-area is the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion. According to Merriweather, the reprioritization will free up his prosecutors and the court calendar to try more violent crime cases he says the pandemic has delayed. He paid taxes, had citizenship and helped raise his three American daughters. And CJNG will be there with their endless supply. I commend the work and efforts of all the individual officers and agents involved in this investigation.