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Two Investigations Lead to La Crosse Police’s Largest Ever Seizure of Fentanyl
Two recent drug investigations by La Crosse Police Investigators has led to the seizure of a large quantity of Fentanyl, over $20,000.00 cash and the arrest of 5 people. One of the investigations alone led to the seizure of 140 grams of Fentanyl which is the largest such seizure by La Crosse Police and is significant due to the danger Fentanyl poses.
In the first investigation, La Crosse Police Drug Investigators obtained information that Frederick B. Moore of Chicago had been selling large quantities of Fentanyl in the La Crosse area. Initial information indicated Moore was from Chicago and only in town for short periods to sell Fentanyl in the La Crosse Area. Investigators learned Moore would frequent La Crosse for a few days and then drive back to Chicago after he ran out of drugs.
La Crosse Police and Town of Campbell Investigators were able conduct a confidential purchase of Fentanyl from Moore while he was in La Crosse on 09-01-2020. Investigators then obtained a search warrant for multiple hotel rooms at Motel 6 on the north side of La Crosse where Moore was staying, as well as the rental vehicle he was driving. Upon executing this search warrant, Moore was arrested without incident and taken to the La Crosse County jail. Investigators also seized over $4000.00 including the Police recorded buy money from the confidential purchase. Moore is currently on Parole in Illinois for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
In the second investigation, La Crosse Police Drug Investigators obtained information Lavon Liggins was selling Fentanyl in the La Crosse area. Liggins is familiar to La Crosse Investigators due to a 2019 arrest for selling Heroin/Fentanyl which he is currently out on bond for (see La Crosse Police story for details of that arrest). La Crosse Police Investigators again worked with Town of Campbell Police and were able to make two confidential purchases of Fentanyl from Liggins.
Based on these drug transactions, the La Crosse Police Department, along with Town of Campbell Police Department and the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant at 1711 La Crescent Street #110 on 09/02/2020 at 7:57pm. Upon executing the search warrant, Britney M. Basley, Anthony M. Owens and Shana M. Huntington were taken into custody without incident. Also present inside the apartment was a newborn baby which was placed with La Crosse County Child Protective Services. Prior to executing the search warrant, Liggins was arrested as part of a traffic stop by the La Crosse Police Department.
Upon searching the apartment, the following items were seized:
*111.5 grams of Fentanyl
*5.4 grams of Ecstasy
*Scale, Baggies, THC
*$20,010 US Currency
* 2011 BMW 525 Sedan
* 2009 Dodge Challenger
* 2011 BMW X5 SUV
* 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Of the money seized, $2000 of it was police recorded money used in the confidential purchases. In total 142.2 grams of Fentanyl was seized with an estimated street value of $28,000.00 if sold in single use increments.
Fentanyl is a highly dangerous drug and it contributes to many of the drugs overdoses in La Crosse. In the last week alone, just in the City of La Crosse, we have responded to 7 possible overdoses. Of those 7 overdoses, 5 people have died. As this news release is being written, La Crosse Police are on scene of another suspected overdose. Assistant Chief Abraham stated, “This is a perfect example of individuals who have no fear or respect for the La Crosse County Court system. The revolving door of La Crosse County justice sends them right back into our communities to deal their deadly drugs. How many people have to die before the La Crosse County Courts send a clear message to drug dealers that if you deal dangerous drugs in La Crosse County you will go to prison?”
Below is the information for the arrests associated with these cases:
Arrested: Case Number 20-36649
Frederick B. Moore
08/08/1983
5213 S. Princeton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60609
CHARGES:
Delivery Schedule I or II Narcotic Drugs (Fentanyl) 961.41(1)(A)
Case Number 20-34867
Lavon D. Liggins
05/03/1981
1711 La Crescent Street #110
La Crosse WI 54603
CHARGES:
Delivery of Schedule I or II Narcotics
Delivery of Schedule I or II Narcotics
Party to Crime, Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule 1 or II Narcotics
Party to Crime, Possession of Ecstasy
Party to Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Maintain Drug Trafficking Place
Felony Bail Jumping (5 Counts)
Misdemeanor Bail Jumping (2 Counts)
Operating While Revoked, OWI Related
Anthony M. Owens
09/14/1977
1711 La Crescent Street #110
La Crosse WI 54603
CHARGES:
Party to Crime, Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule 1 or II Narcotics
Party to Crime, Possession of Ecstasy
Party to Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Maintain Drug Trafficking Place
Brittany M. Basley
09/17/1990
1711 La Crescent Street #110
La Crosse WI 54603
CHARGES:
Party to Crime, Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule 1 or II Narcotics
Party to Crime, Possession of Ecstasy
Party to Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Maintain Drug Trafficking Place
Felony Bail Jumping (3 Counts)
Shana M. Huntington
04/26/1990
1711 La Crescent Street #110
La Crosse WI 54603
CHARGES:
Party to Crime, Possession with Intent to Deliver Schedule 1 or II Narcotics (111.5 grams found on Search Warrant)
Party to Crime, Possession of Ecstasy
Party to Crime, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Maintain Drug Trafficking Place
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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