The Emporia Police Department has recently been honored by the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police for investigative work with two high-profile cases that developed over a year ago.
It’s a set of honors that has Police Chief Ed Owens proud of his staff.
One of the cases started with contact with a wanted person at an Emporia residence before turning into an investigation into potential human smuggling, identity fraud and unlicensed dental work. Police Officers Hawkins Taylor and Martin Orozco noted the smell of marijuana with the initial contact, which led to a warrant with Corporal Austin Nelson and Sergeant Dominick Vortherms assisting on the search.
The discovery of illegal narcotics and fraudulent documentation led to the investigation taking a much wider scope and the eventual seizure of dental equipment, including an unauthorized X-ray machine, as well as $16,000 in US currency and 2 vehicles. Owens says officers did a good job of following the evidence as the investigation veered into different directions.
Twelve people were eventually arrested.
The other case led to charges about an alleged methamphetamine distribution ring involving residents from Emporia, Texas and Mexico. Officer Taylor got information about potential narcotics trafficking and began working with Corporal Nelson that led to a passenger bus and suspicious at a location near Emporia. Investigator Hector Anderson began helping, as did the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and — later — US Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection. Less can be said about the investigation with this case because it hasn’t been resolved, but Owens says it was part of a massive, coordinated multi-agency approach.
The case led to the discovery of almost 100 gallons of liquid meth in a bus fuel tank, over 130 pounds of crystal meth, nearly 80 firearms, around $35,000 in US currency, a shipping contained allegedly used to process liquid meth and several vehicles allegedly involved. Six people were arrested and charged in federal court, although charges have been dropped against two of the initial defendants.
For their work, Nelson, Orozco, Taylor and Vortherms all received Bronze Awards. Anderson and Nelson also accepted a Unit Citation Award on behalf of Emporia Police.
