The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California has presented the Fresno County Sheriff Office with the Outstanding Law Enforcement Agency Award for 2014.
Federal employees attending the presentation ceremony included: U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Talbert, AUSA Mark Cullers - Chief of the Fresno Office, AUSA Kevin Rooney - Fresno Office Chief of the Narcotics & Violent Crime Unit, AUSA John Vincent - Criminal Division Chief, AUSA Karen Escobar - lead prosecutor on synthetic drug cases, Contract Paralegal John Rialon, DEA Group Supervisor Christopher Coleman, DEA Special Agent Philip Hartshorne, IRS Supervisory Special Agent Jeffrey Hodge, IRS Special Agent Michael Coleman, HSI Resident Agent in Charge Craig Finley and HSI Special Agent Dada Cheam.
The award recognizes the assistance of undercover sheriff’s detectives during a year and a half long narcotics case entitled Operation Sugar and Spice. This was an investigation of Victor Anthony Nottoli and his company, Zenbio. Zenbio was determined to be a major synthetic drug trafficking organization responsible for the manufacture and distribution of harmful controlled substances marketed as smokable synthetic cannabinoids.
Through undercover purchases, FSO detectives obtained smokable synthetic cannabinoids from Nottoli’s smoke shops, the Stuffed Pipe, in Fresno. These substances tested positive for controlled substances which helped to establish probable cause. It allowed law enforcement to obtain a total of 41 federal search warrants for various types of personal information. Law enforcement officers were able to seize over 50 kilograms of pure controlled substances and over $6 million in cash and assets that represented proceeds of drug trafficking. The investigation led to the prosecution of 5 individuals in this district, including Nottoli’s guilty plea and agreement to the forfeiture of over $6 million in cash and assets. Nottoli’s agreement to cooperate also assisted in securing convictions of 6 coconspirators charged in the Southern Districts of New York and Alabama.
In November 2012, FSO Detective John Avila brought the case to the attention of federal authorities following the interception of a package containing 12 kilograms of pure XLR11. XLR11 is considered 167 times more powerful than marijuana. Detective Avila knew right away that the seized quantity of this raw synthetic drug was significant.
The package was addressed to Natalie Middleton, a manager of the Stuffed Pipe. It was sent from Crystal Henry, the target of a Southern District of Alabama investigation into Zenbio’s activities in Alabama. As a result of Detective Avila’s information the FSO, DEA, IRS and HSI joined forces to conduct an intense investigation of the drug trafficking organization responsible for the package. It was discovered that Zenbio produced and distributed at least 24 tons of smokable synthetic cannabinoids to 47 states.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says the FSO’s commitment to Operation Sugar and Spice shows its dedication to partnering with its federal counterparts to enforce narcotics laws and ensure the safety of the community.
Watch the award ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evTpd4CPDGI
