A Detroit drug trafficking gang that referred to as itself “Group Cookies” used home flights to move its illicit cargo, The Detroit Information experiences. The group washed earnings by means of MotorCity On line casino and different gaming institutions, in line with courtroom filings.
Brokers execute raids in Detroit in February 2022, above. These led to the arrest of Kyle Kennard, aka WhoppDog, and his associates. (Picture: Fox)
Federal authorities in February charged 13 individuals with drug and cash laundering conspiracy linked to the distribution of fentanyl, oxycodone, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.
The gang’s MO was to make use of a system generally known as “ghost baggage.” This concerned Phoenix, Ariz.-based operatives shopping for airplane tickets to Detroit and checking in unescorted baggage full of medication. As soon as the luggage have been checked, the “passengers” would fail to get on the flight.
At Detroit Metropolitan Airport, couriers can be ready on the carousel to choose up the stashed baggage. The medication have been then distributed on the market in numerous states, together with Michigan and Kentucky, in line with prosecutors.
A Million Drugs
“This indictment … concerned a drug trafficking group that engaged not solely in trafficking some medication however trafficking an immense quantity of medicine,” Assistant US Lawyer David Portelli stated in courtroom, as reported by the Detroit Information. “Over 1,000,000 capsules of fentanyl … are concerned on this, in addition to … different substances.”
The gang’s actions got here to the eye of federal authorities in October 2020 when the US Drug Enforcement Administration intercepted a suspicious bag on a flight from Phoenix to Detroit following a tip.
Inside was virtually 2.5 lbs. of cocaine and $7,950 in money. Its recipient in Detroit was a girl named Kapri Oldham. She refused to cooperate with the DEA when questioned. When investigators searched her cellphone, they discovered she had lately interacted through Instagram with a consumer named “WhoppDog.”
Investigators recognized WhoppDog as 37-year-old Detroiter Kyle Kennard, whom prosecutors characterize as a harmful and closely armed felony.
Traced through Instagram
The WhoppDog account contained quite a few photographs of money, on line casino chips, medication, and weapons. It additionally contained photographs of bags and baggage tags.
Prosecutors say the gang would take an image of the slip offered by the airways for luggage declare and share it with the person tasked with selecting it up from the airport.
The photographs allowed investigators to hint different gang members through their social media accounts. Amongst them is co-defendant Leo Todd, 33, who prosecutors consider is the kingpin of the operation.
Most of the photographs on Kennard’s account have been taken when he was beneath home arrest and carrying a GPS ankle bracelet from a separate felony case. The bracelet is clearly seen in a few of the photographs.
Kennard was a daily at MotorCity, the place he used an assumed identify, “Cajuan Johnson,” to launder cash, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Todd and Kennard face no less than 10 years in federal jail if convicted.
