GREEN BAY, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice
has begun filing criminal cases against several suspects arrested in a raid on
a meth ring back in March, 2016.
Green
Bay Press-Gazette originally reported 39 people were arrested in the drug
bust, which took place over a seven-month investigation. It was the largest
dismantling of a local drug operation, according to authorities.
Most of the criminal cases for those
arrested remain unsettled. Now the state has undergone proceedings to seize the
assets of several suspects, including alleged kingpin, Bill Yang.
WBAY:
Action 2 News reports investigators allegedly identified Vang as the head
of the multi-state drug operation.
According to Green
Bay Press-Gazette, court records show that 35-year-old Vang allegedly had
guns, drugs, and $10,000 cash in his possession at the time of his arrest. At
this time Vang is facing 51 counts for various crimes.
Investigators have reportedly seized
assets for Vang and at least eight other suspects in the case. The reasoning behind
the seizure has not been made public. Green
Bay Press-Gazette reports prosecutors have filed to keep court documents
partially off limits to the public.
Reasoning:
I decided on this
story for my top local news of the week because I felt that it is an incredibly
complex and layered story that will continue to unfold. There are two main
things that make it so newsworthy. The original story was so sensational
considering how large the arrest number was, and how long the investigation
went on. The other main thing I thought made it special and newsworthy was that
a lot of the criminal and court documents have been partially sealed by the
court, which is a very unusual thing. In order for a judge to rule in favor of
a request to seal documents, there needs to be a very apparent reason for doing
so. It’s also newsworthy because it shows just how many people in a community
as small as Green Bay can have serious drug problems, so many people will be
interested.
Troy,
ReplyDeleteThis local news story makes me sick. There are so many drug busts happening so frequently in the area. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful that they are being discovered, but it seems extensive the amount of drugs we have in Wisconsin.
Recently in West De Pere there was a drug bust for going marijuana. I know that is not as severe as meth, but definitely still illegal.
One of my classmates from De Pere was arrested for murdering his friend because he supplied drugs and then the man died that evening. Drugs are so common now, and it makes me sick. It puts lives at risk. I see no positives about it and I am grateful we have police to shut it down as quickly as possible!
Thank you again for your story and sharing your reasoning! Very newsworthy.
Thanks for the comment Elisabeth,
DeleteI agree, it's such a cringe inducing story, because it has such large ramifications. There seems to be so many branches and deeply rooted issues with the drug trade. Not to mention how large of a bust, and long the investigation went on, which makes it so much more newsworthy.
Elisabeth, I almost forgot,
DeleteI fully remember that particular crime you mentioned. It happened not far from my house actually. But also there is a very interesting connection between this particular meth bust, and that tragic shooting (accident).
One of the people arrested in the meth ring operation, i'll leave her name out, lived in the duplex, or at least in the same cul de sac development where that kid was shot. Very interesting turn of events.
Extremely tragic! However the event I mentioned wasn't a shooting, it was an overdose. However, there have been many drug related deaths recently and it is truthfully becoming overwhelming. I just hope we get a handle on it soon so more lives can be protected!
DeleteAgain good job!
Troy,
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of this story so reading your piece definitely gave me some perspective as to what it was all about. I agree with some of the comments made about that the amount of drug related incidents and deaths is tragic, especially in our area. This was a great newsworthy story due to the proximity and controversy that arises from this topic.
Jen,
DeleteYea, this original story about the drug bust was crazy to read, it was like something straight our The Wire. Rarely do I find follow ups as a top story but this one seemed to enhance a lot of what the original story had to offer.