During the month of February, 2019, Detectives received information from a parent that her 13 year old child was buying marijuana laced edibles from an unknown adult female. This female and the child would set up these deals via social media. This adult female would then meet up and deliver these edibles to the child, either near her school or near to the child’s home.  Detectives further discovered that these edibles came in the form of candies, fruity type like cereals, rice crispy treats, chocolates and muffins.  An investigation was launched with the assistance of the LPD Street  Narcotics Unit (SNEU). As a result, a detective, acting in an undercover capacity, contacted the target.  This contact resulted  in numerous controlled purchases of edibles and marijuana.  Armed with these UC controlled drug purchases, 3 members of this DTO (Drug Trafficking Organization) were identified and the location of their drug distribution operation discovered.  As a result, arrest and search warrants were secured and the DTO was dismantled on [ ]03/14/2019. 

A significant amount of edibles, marijuana and $1,280 was seized.

This was a directed effort between SNEU and Detectives that quickly and efficiently extinguished this extremely dangerous DTO. This DTO, at no regard for public safety, used enticing types of food and candy to manipulate school aged children into buying these hazardous and possibly life threatening marijuana laced edibles. Marijuana edibles are food items that are infused with marijuana or marijuana oils and come in various forms.  Unlike smoking cannabis, edibles take longer to take effect but result in a more intense high that could last longer.  This is because eating cannabis introduces cannabinoids through the gastrointestinal tract where it is digested much more slowly for a longer-lasting variation of THC.

"I credit the detectives and our narcotics unit for acting swiftly and taking down a dangerous drug organization targeting our children". Chief Roy Vasque 

The 3 suspects arrested and charged with drug possession and distribution charges in this operation are:

Ranzel Ramos age 20 of Lawrence

Santos Santiago age 47 of Lawrence

Adnellys Ramos age 36 of Lawrence

All were arraigned in Lawrence District Court.