Southwest Iowa News > Around The Region > Cocaine seizure called Omaha's largest

Southwest Iowa News > Around The Region > Cocaine seizure called Omaha's largest: "Omaha police seized $2 million worth of cocaine over the weekend during a traffic stop of a semi-trailer truck that was hauling tomatoes.Officials said it was the largest cocaine seizure Omaha police have ever made.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, police said, an officer with the Omaha Police Department's K-9 squad stopped the Freightliner semi at eastbound I-80 and 60th Street. The semi's driver, police said, had been following another vehicle too closely.Officers obtained permission to search the truck and trailer. Along with $60,000 worth of tomatoes, they found almost 140 lbs. of cocaine in 51 packages.The driver and passenger, Hovick Fiterz, 49, of North Hollywood, Calif., and Haik Fiterz, 51, of Burbank, Calif., have been charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine over one pound.
The men told authorities they are brothers."

Susan Olsen, 51, was arrested on three counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place

Susan Olsen, 51, was arrested on three counts of maintaining a drug trafficking place, two counts of delivery of heroin near certain places, one count of party to delivery of heroin near certain places and one count each of possession with the intent to deliver heroin near certain places, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver heroin and possession of narcotics.Thomas Oakley, 53, was arrested on charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession with the intent to deliver heroin, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.Steven Messner, 47, was arrested on charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place, delivery of heroin near certain places, deliver heroin near certain places, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.Officers from the Street Crimes Unit could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Oakley, 53, was arrested on charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession with the intent to deliver heroin, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.Steven Messner, 47, was arrested on charges of maintaining a drug trafficking place, delivery of heroin near certain places, deliver heroin near certain places, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.Officers from the Street Crimes Unit could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Robert Bryning, 51, of Winsford, was jailed in for five and a half years last December for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Robert Bryning, 51, of Winsford, was jailed in for five and a half years last December for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Despite having been unemployed for 19 years, a Proceeds of Crime investigation revealed he managed to buy two properties, took regular exotic holidays, owned a time share in Florida and was a member at an exclusive golf club. He was finally caught when police raided his two houses in Cedar Grove and School Road in June 2007 and found between £3,000 and £5,000 worth of the Class A drug stashed in a cash box in a garden shed. Bryning claimed officers planted the key to the box on his keyring during the raid, but electric scales with traces of cocaine and his DNA on were also recovered from Cedar Grove. After a five-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court he was found guilty by a majority verdict and sentenced to 66 months jail. Cheshire Constabulary’s Financial Investigation Unit began a complex Proceeds of Crime investigation into his finances and froze his assets to stop him from selling any possessions or removing money from his bank accounts. On Thursday, November 26, following a two day hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Fletcher concluded Bryning had benefited from crime and made a confiscation order for £127,438.95 to be paid within six months. If he fails, he will still owe the money and will have a further two years and two months added to his prison sentence. Insp David Snasdell of Winsford NPU, welcomed the news. He said: “We are committed to tackling drugs issues across Winsford and this case shows that it does not end with a prison sentence for convicted drug dealers. When they leave prison, they will not be able to return to the luxuries their life of crime previously afforded them.” Det Sgt Peter Kidd from Cheshire Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit added: “The proceeds of Crime Act allows the court to order the forfeiture of property or money that we have grounds to believe has come from criminal activity or is going to be used in criminal activity. “This case sends out the very strong message to anyone involved in drugs supply that crime certainly does not pay. “Not only do criminals run the risk of losing their liberty, but our Financial Investigation Unit will use powers available to them under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure that those convicted of drug trafficking offences will be stripped of the profits they have made from crime.”