Month: January 2017

Three allegedly smuggle meth into KCK in semi’s gas tank

Three men from Mexico appeared in federal court in Topeka today on charges of smuggling liquid methamphetamine into Kansas City, Kan., in the gas tank of a semi-trailer truck, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

The defendants are alleged to have smuggled more than 1,000 pounds of liquid methamphetamine that they pumped out of the gas tank of the truck.

Heraclio Estrella-Montero, 30, Yoan Alejandro Castillo-Zamora, 30, and Fernando Chavez-Rodriquez, 40, all of Mexico, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

According to court papers, the men were arrested in Kansas City, Kan., about 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, after pumping the liquid methamphetamine from the truck into five-gallon buckets.

If convicted they face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. Investigators include the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kansas City DEA Special Response Team, and the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

KCKCC rally falls short 67-64; to play Brown Mackie Saturday

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC

Kansas City Kansas Community College held a talented Washburn JV team to just one field goal the final 6½ minutes of play Wednesday but couldn’t overcome an 8-point deficit in a 67-64 setback.

The Blue Devils had a chance to tie with 6.7 seconds left but Kellen Turner’s 3-point attempt missed and the Ichabods clinched it with a pair of free throws.

The Blue Devils are right back in action Saturday when they play host to Brown Mackie in the second half of a 2-4 p.m. doubleheader. It will be Brown Mackie’s final game at KCKCC as the college will no longer offer basketball after this season.

Turner continued his outstanding spring semester shooting, scoring a game high 21 points including 6-of-11 free throw points. He also led KCKCC in rebounding with eight. Turner, who was 5-of-6 from distance in the first half, has now scored 113 points in the first five games of the second half of the season.

Mike Lee added 15 points, four rebounds and a game high five assists, Daniel Kingcannon contributed 10 points in a key reserve role and Jon Murray had seven rebounds and six points.

KCKCC led 38-35 at halftime but the Ichabods took advantage of a 45-36 rebound superiority top build a 61-55 lead with 6:30 remaining. Darren Spruill’s field goal, Wasbburn’s only basket during a furious finish, kept the lead at 65-59 only to have Lane Hartley cut the KCKCC deficit to 65-63 with a 3-pointer with 1:13 to go.

However, the Blue Devils could not score again until a Turner jump shot at the final horn.

The Blue Devils committed just eight turnovers in the contest but managed just 9-of-32 second half shots for 28.1 percent in their second game in two nights.