Ricardo Delgado, II, the leader of a large-scale drug conspiracy operating in the Saginaw-Bay area, was convicted by a federal jury of multiple drug and weapons offenses, including drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, possession of multiple machineguns and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a pair of bills that would ban the sale of objects used for recreational nitrous oxide use. And the law hopes to curb the use of nitrous oxide as a mind-altering drug.

The yearly festival highlights the decriminalization of entheogens -- plants and fungi often referred to as psychedelics for their hallucinogenic effects -- kicks off at 1:11 p.m.

Drug use continues to be an issue across the country. But one of the solutions is harm reduction. It can be a controversial topic as some say it’s enabling people to use drugs, but others say it’s saving lives.

Officials are working to bring attention to the dangers of fentanyl on National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

Get rid of expired or unused medications at this upcoming event at the University of Michigan.

The FDA is warning people not to purchase or use a sex supplement because it has hidden drug ingredients.

Many parents of teenagers are aware of the dangers of illegal drugs.

This holiday season, WDIV-Local 4 is once again joining forces with law enforcement and other TV stations nationwide, to discourage drunken driving.

More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, according to the CDC.

A mother is bringing attention to how emojis can be used as a secret code to purchase and sell drugs after she lost her son to a drug overdose.

Local 4′s Karen Drew explains why most parents are completely unaware, until it’s too late.

A federal grand jury in Detroit has charged six people with drug, gun, and money laundering crimes.

Drop off unused or expired medications in Ypsilanti this Saturday.

A Melvindale man is accused of dealing prescription pills, of which are directly connected to an overdose death, out of bakery in the city.

The DEA is warning parents about drugs like “Rainbow fentanyl,” which has been trending nationwide.

Drop off unused or expired medications for safe disposal at this upcoming event.

It’s the deadliest drug threat in America, and it only took days for rainbow fentanyl to appear in Michigan after the DEA warned it was coming.

Officials found three guns, cocaine, and more than $100,000 while searching three locations linked to a Macomb County drug trafficking organization, according to authorities.

Is it possible to overdose on fentanyl just by touching it? Many health professionals say no, it’s not possible.

Five Michigan men were arrested when officials broke up a drug deal and found fentanyl in one vehicle and cash in the other, according to authorities.

Police said they found cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, assault rifles, a shotgun, pistols, and other drug equipment during a massive bust at a Michigan home.

A man is facing a long list of charges after dozens of guns, thousands of bullets, and several grams of crystal meth were found inside an Oakland County home, officials said.

Authorities say a Michigan man appeared in court Tuesday after Minot police seized 15,000 fentanyl pills and 80 grams of fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of more than $1 million.

A big bust in a Madison Heights home, as police say neighbors had no idea they were living next to a man with drugs, dozens of guns, and thousands of rounds of ammo.

Police said they have linked a Romulus man to a baggie of fentanyl that was shipped in a box of cat litter and ammunition found inside an SUV that crashed into a pole.

Federal authorities say a Northern California pair repeatedly impersonated federal law enforcement officers as part of a nationwide scheme in which they smuggled drugs nationwide.

Law enforcement officers from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and Detroit police on Tuesday busted a person deemed “dangerous” with a large sum of drugs, officials said.

Michigan State Police have detained three women and two men and seized three guns as they continue to execute “Operation Candy Man” in Oakland, Wayne, and Genesee counties.

Michigan State Police are executing “Operation Candy Man” on Wednesday -- a plan to raid locations in Oakland, Wayne, and Genesee counties and stop nurses who are illegally selling thousands of opioids.

Michigan State Police are executing “Operation Candy Man” on Wednesday -- a plan to raid locations in Oakland, Wayne, and Genesee counties and stop nurses who are illegally selling thousands of opioids.

Michigan officials found guns, cash, methamphetamine and heroin when they executed four connected search warrants this week -- three at hotel rooms and one at a nearby storage facility, according to authorities.

This weekend, organizations across Metro Detroit and the U.S. are accepting unwanted or unneeded prescription medications in an effort to prevent drug misuse.

Police said a personal trainer was caught selling drugs at his gym in Highland Park and illegally owning four guns that he had bought off the street.

On Saturday, community members can drop off old, expired or unused medications at five drive-thru “Take Back” sites across Washtenaw County.

Sterling Heights police released video of officers chasing down a car and an illegal immigrant who transported 20,000 fentanyl pills into the city from a Mexican drug cartel, officials said.

Sterling Heights police found 20,000 fentanyl pills inside the hidden compartments of a vehicle and arrested a man and a woman who admitted they had entered the country illegally from Mexico to transport the drugs for a cartel, officials said.

A Monroe County deputy saved himself with Narcan after he accidentally breathed in a substance while searching an inmate’s property, officials said.

A semi truck driver hauling produce was caught at the Ambassador Bridge with a loaded gun and methamphetamine, officials said.

A Troy bodybuilder has been charged in an international smuggling scheme that involved the illegal distribution of drugs used to treat the effects of steroid use, officials said.

A semi truck driver was caught trying to transport six duffel bags of cocaine over the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit to Canada, officials said.

Nine people from Detroit and four people from Phoenix have been charged in a drug and money laundering conspiracy linked to the distribution of fentanyl, meth, cocaine and marijuana, officials said.

Thirteen people are now facing drug charges and money laundering charges after arrests were made in Detroit and Arizona.

Thirteen people are now facing drug charges and money laundering charges after arrests were made in Detroit and Arizona.

The DEA is warning of a deadly trend involving the type of illicit drugs coming into Metro Detroit.

A Michigan podiatrist pleaded guilty to illegally prescribing addictive opioids to women in exchange for sexual favors, cash and other drugs.

A father and son have been sentenced for using crack cocaine, heroin and threats of violence to force women with addictions to go on sex dates as part of the duo’s drug and prostitution house in Detroit.

A U.N.-backed group says it has signed agreements with more than two dozen generic drug makers to produce versions of Merck’s coronavirus pill to supply 105 developing countries.

Detroit police confiscated more than $1.5 million worth of drugs while executing a search warrant on Thursday, they said.

Officials busted a drug operation linked to homes in Sterling Heights, Detroit and Harper Woods after searching hidden compartments of vehicles that were loaded onto a car hauler in the parking lot of a Metro Detroit mall.

U.S. officials are warning that international drug traffickers are going after children, especially teenagers, on social media in hopes of recruiting them.

A husband and wife who were driving 5 mph with a flat tire on a Troy road were arrested after police found fentanyl in the glove box, authorities said.

Police are searching for a man in connection with the overdose death of a woman who was found dead last October inside a car in Melvindale.

The 10th Ann Arbor Marathon is back this weekend.

Sterling Heights police seized six kilograms of cocaine -- with a street value of $650,000 -- during a traffic stop earlier this week.

A nonprofit organization has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to make parents aware of how easy it is for teens to store drugs in plain sight.

The US Drug Enforcement Agency is officially issuing a public warning to inform everyone of fake prescription pills that may contain dangerous drugs including fentanyl and meth.

Elected officials and activists spoke from the steps of the Hatcher Graduate Library, addressing decriminalization, legislation, personal stories, healing and of the future.

Officials have charged a Grosse Pointe Park pharmacy owner, a Detroit doctor and three others with running a prescription drug ring in several cities around Wayne County.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, community members will gather on the University of Michigan Diag for the inaugural Entheofest, a festival highlighting psychedelic plants and fungi.

Researchers at U-M discovered that some over-the-counter drugs may be effective at treating COVID-19.

Officials seized more than 300 grams of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, eight guns and more during a search warrant on a suspected drug dealer in Detroit.

Police found more than 400 grams of cocaine and $30,000 while busting a drug dealer they believe was responsible for supplying “most of the cocaine and crack cocaine” that has entered Van Buren Township.

Two Michigan men were arrested after selling methamphetamine and heroin to undercover narcotics officials, according to authorities.

MSP requested a police woman to perform a search on the pregnant driver, which is when they found the driver wasn’t pregnant, but was wearing a stuffed pouch under her shirt.

Two Port Huron men are facing drug charges after police found heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine during a raid, authorities said.

A man is facing 10 charges after he sold drugs to an undercover officer, crashed into a Wyandotte home, dragged an officer with his car and led police on a chase, officials said.

Tiffany Lipkovitch, a Highland Park police detective, is accused of selling drugs on the job while in complete uniform.

A Michigan State Police trooper came into contact with fentanyl during a traffic stop Thursday and fell to the ground, officials said.

A Port Huron police officer came upon a man appearing to be drunk behind the wheel of a parked car.

This National Drug Takeback Day, one Metro Detroit mother is urging people to get rid of their unused medications so they can’t harm anyone.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and Detroit Police Department are joining Saturday for something they hope will have an impact far greater than any drug bust.

Federal officials arrested a former Michigan resident who they say was the leader of a massive, $100 million international cocaine trafficking organization that planned to use an underwater drone to ship drugs to Europe.

On Saturday, Washtenaw County residents can drop off unused, old and expired medications for safe disposal at three locations.

Madron Aldonihah Austin was arrested on Sunday evening in connection with a triple stabbing in Ann Arbor.

The study, conducted by a team from clinical research company Validcare, aims to help the FDA to determine how to appropriately regulate CBD products.

At age 21 he started abusing alcohol which eventually led to other substances fueling his addiction. “The selfish nature of the disease of addiction, it convinces you that it’s your problem and you can fix it,” he said. I may as well say yes.”LaFave said yes to Dawn Farm in Ypsilanti. “Dawn Farm is a non profit based in Washtenaw County that provides treatment and recovery support services for people with substance abuse disorders and addiction,” said Anna Byberg, Dawn Farm clinical director. There is help available.”Dawn Farm residents, or “farmers” as they’re called, are drug tested twice a week and hold each other accountable as well.

ORION TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A man and a woman from Pontiac were arrested overnight after a deputy found them inside a car containing drugs and cash, officials said. A 19-year-old Pontiac woman sitting in the front passenger seat admitted to having a large amount of suspected narcotics in her clothing, according to the deputy. She turned the suspected narcotics over and was taken into custody without incident, authorities said. AdA K-9 unit arrived and conducted a search, alerting deputies to the center console and front seat areas of the vehicle, according to officials. Deputies said they found narcotic paraphernalia, a smaller sum of cash and suspected narcotics in the center console.

DETROIT – Glen Richard Mousseau was sentenced Wednesday to 71 months imprisonment after having plead guilty to using a submarine business to smuggle drugs between the United States and Canada. Original Story: Man using submarine to smuggle drugs across Detroit River found tied to floating bags of marijuanaMousseau, 49, is from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. After trying to stop the vessel, agents said they saw two large bundles being thrown into the water. While approaching the bundles, agents said they saw an unconscious man in the water. More Information: Man using submarine to smuggle drugs across Detroit River found tied to floating bags of marijuana

FILE - This Feb. 19, 2013, file photo shows OxyContin pills arranged for a photo at a pharmacy in Montpelier, Vt. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File)PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The city of Plymouth is notifying residents that its drug collection service will resume Monday, March 1. The service is intended to reduce the amount of unneeded medicine in residents’ homes, decrease prescription drug abuse, and keep drugs out of waterways. The city of Plymouth’s Drug Collection Unit site is open to the public, on the main floor of City Hall, Monday through Friday only between 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions regarding this program contact the Plymouth Police Department at 734-453-1234 ext.

Opioid drug overdose deaths are down in US, study finds, but COVID-19 could change that. DETROIT – McLaren Health Care Corp. has agreed to pay the federal government more than $7.7 million to resolve alleged violations of provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. McLaren said a pharmacist at its Port Huron retail pharmacy was “diverting opioids for his own personal use” and has since been fired. McLaren said it exited the retail pharmacy business in 2018, adding that the move was unrelated to the federal investigation. The health system has more than a dozen hospitals across Michigan.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – It was recently announced that Washtenaw County will no longer pursue charges related to marijuana and entheogenic plants. Read: Washtenaw County Prosecutor: No more charges in cannabis, psychedelic plant casesThis means indictments such as possession and distribution related to marijuana or shrooms will all be off the table from a legal standpoint. They can focus on the people who are doing real crime in the community, then it’s definitely worth it,” said a Washtenaw County woman who also chose not to be identified. We should no longer continue to perpetuate the cruel roulette wheel that imposes criminal consequences only on an unlucky few,” said Savit. Criminal charges can still be filed against large-scale operations that are distributing controlled substances if the health of the public is at risk.

They believe the three taken into custody are the leaders of a ring selling cocaine laced with fentanyl that has killed three people in Warren. Jermaine Tate, 38, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Nathaniel Clark, 32, as been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Terry Jamal Gaskins, 34, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Authorities said they’ve been distributing cocaine laced with fentanyl, cut down to make a larger profit.

WARREN, Mich. – An investigation into a large-scale group alleged to be manufacturing and distributing fentanyl across Metro Detroit culminated in the arrests of three people. (Stopping Narcotic Overdoses in Warren) began investigating in November after the death of a 47-year-old resident. Jermaine Tate, 38, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Nathaniel Clark, 32, as been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl. Terry Jamal Gaskins, 34, has been charged with conducting criminal enterprise, three counts of delivery/manufacturing fentanyl and three counts of conspiracy to deliver/manufacture fentanyl.

Troy police made seven impaired driving arrests over the final 10 days of November. Four women and three men from all around Metro Detroit were involved.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – A Lake Orion man has been charged with supplying drugs to three Rochester Hills teenagers who were found dead from overdosing, officials said. Auburn Hills police officers were called at 4:36 p.m. July 29 to the Baymont Hotel at 1294 North Opdyke Road to check on the well-being of a girl, according to authorities. Officers found the 17-year-old Rochester Hills girl in a room with two brothers, ages 18 and 19, also from Rochester Hills. Lorenzo Kenneth Brabo, 20, of Lake Orion, was also found in the hotel room, officials said. Brabo was arraigned Monday (Nov. 9) at 52/3 District Court on three counts of felony delivery causing death.

While we may not know if President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden won the presidential election for a while longer, there was one clear “winner” on election night, and that was recreational drugs. States across the country have been legalizing recreational marijuana every election cycle, and 2020 was no different. Residents in New Jersey, Arizona, Montana and South Dakota all voted to legalize recreational cannabis, and South Dakota also legalized medical marijuana, along with Mississippi. South Dakota became the first state to legalize medical and recreational marijuana in the same election. For the first time in U.S. history, the state of Oregon decriminalized possession of hard drugs, as well as voted to legalize psychedelic mushrooms.

DETROIT – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection releases stats every year about the amount of illegal items they confiscate annually. This year, they are reporting a steep increase in items. CBP reported 9,059 pounds of marijuana, 211 pounds of cocaine, 15 pounds of fentanyl and two pounds of meth have been seized from people leaving or entering the United States at Michigan ports of entry. CBP reported a 1,736% increase in seized marijuana and 227% increase in weapons seized -- enough to supply a small army. Why the increase in illegal items crossing the border?

Feds have charged 19 Detroit men in connection with drug crimes, and in one indictment, they broke down how the “It’s Just Us” gang initiated its members, operated stash houses, moved guns and drugs, and even gained control of restaurants and bars while creating a “climate of fear” on the east side.

DETROIT – Prescription medications can be dangerous and even deadly -- and they’re probably just sitting in your medicine cabinet. The Drug Enforcement Administration laid out reasons for all of us to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 24. According to the DEA, the majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained through family or friends, often from their own medicine cabinet. In the past, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been very successful. More information can be found on the official National Prescription Drug Take Back Day website here.

DETROIT – On Sunday, Oct. 18 at around 11:15 p.m., the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Officers at the Blue Water Bridge encountered a driver operating a trash hauler. The driver declared he was transporting municipal trash destined for a landfill in New Boston, Michigan to CBP. During the exam of the hauler, officers uncovered over 1,000 pounds of marijuana concealed in trash bags in the rear of truck. “Traffickers will use any means to attempt to transport illegal narcotics across our borders,” said Acting Port Director April Donaghy, who oversees operations at the Port Huron Area Port of Entry. In Fiscal Year 2020, CBP Field Operations seized more than 9,000 pounds of marijuana at ports of entry across the state.

WASHINGTON – Pregnant women should avoid a group of common pain relievers including Advil and Aleve for the last four months of pregnancy, federal health officials said Thursday, expanding the warning from three months. They can lead to kidney problems in the fetus that can result in low levels of amniotic fluid that fills the womb. In one exception, the FDA said the new warning does not apply to low-dose aspirin when recommended by a doctor. Federal regulators said they decided to extend the warning after finding 35 cases of the amniotic fluid problem reported to the FDA and reviewing similar examples in published research. Use of the pain relievers reduced amniotic fluid in as little as two days, in some cases, the FDA said.

DETROIT – The Michigan Poison Center at the Wayne State University School of Medicine is issuing a warning about recent reports involving “purple heroin” in Michigan. The drug has been linked to several overdoses in the Upper Peninsula and one overdose-related death in Van Buren County. Samples of the drug were sent to the Michigan State Police Laboratory for testing. They do not know if “purple heroin” is colored before or after arriving in Michigan. The Michigan Poison Center is available by calling this number 800-222-1222.

WINDSOR, Ontario – Around 21 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine was seized by officials at the Ambassador Bridge on Sept. 22. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made the discovery. They said the meth was found with a Brampton resident and is estimated to be worth about $2.7 million. During the examination, border services officers discovered a duffel bag filled with packages of suspected methamphetamine. Jaspreet Singh, 29, of Brampton, Ontario is charged with Importation of Scheduled I substance and Possession for the purpose of trafficking.

DETROIT – Four doctors, two nurse practitioners and three pharmacists are among the 19 people who have been indicted in connection with an elaborate drug scheme that went on for years, officials said. The opioid epidemic is still very much a problem in Metro Detroit, with people addicted to and dying from pain pills, heroin and fentanyl. Oxycodone, Percocet and hydrocodone are powerful pain pills that were pedaled on the streets for cash. “These people are greedy and they don’t care about the average citizen,” said Steve Dolunt, the former assistant Detroit police chief. “Average people, some people, have pain,” Dolunt said.

The Youth Empowerment Awards celebrate young adults achieving successful goals, hoping to empower them and others in the community. Dr. Karla Mitchell, CEO of Class Agency, joined Tati Amare to talk about the program. Class Agency has been helping the young people of Wayne County for over 15 years. To help empower these young people in this situation, Class Agency, 313 Hope and the City Of Detroit Health Department started the Youth Empowerment Awards to recognize young people who are demonstrating exceptional work ethics and behaviors. Learn more about the Youth Empowerment Awards in the video above.

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police believe a drug operation inside an Oakland County home might be responsible for causing an explosion that rocked a neighborhood and threw two men from the house. The explosion happened around 12:30 a.m. Thursday at a home on Arbutus Street near the intersection of Newton and Commerce roads in Commerce Township, officials said. “We didn’t know if our house was going to catch fire, and the ones next door.”A Commerce Township house that exploded on Sept. 24, 2020. Butane tanks removed from a Commerce Township house that exploded on Sept. 24, 2020, firefighters said. Both of the injured men are in their mid- to late 20s and are residents of Commerce Township, police said.

COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police believe a drug operation inside an Oakland County home might be responsible for causing an explosion that rocked a neighborhood and threw two men from the house. “It was a large, huge explosion,” Lempert said. A Commerce Township house that exploded on Sept. 24, 2020. Butane tanks removed from a Commerce Township house that exploded on Sept. 24, 2020, firefighters said. Both men are in their mid- to late 20s and are residents of Commerce Township, police said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – City Council members voted unanimously this week to decriminalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a college town that prides itself in a more relaxed approach to drug enforcement. “They are non-addictive chemicals,” Ann Arbor City Council member Anne Bannister said. The Council voted 11-0, saying Ann Arbor police should stand down enforcing possession. In its resolution, the Ann Arbor City Council also asked the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office to cease prosecution of those involved in entheogenic plant use.

WASHINGTON – Law enforcement officials arrested 179 people and seized more than $6.5 million in a worldwide crackdown on opioid trafficking on the darknet, the U.S. Justice Department said Tuesday. As part of the initiative, law enforcement officials seized over $6.5 million in cash and virtual currency, in addition to 500 kilograms of drugs, the Justice Department said. About 275 kilograms of drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and other opioids, had been seized in the U.S. The Justice Department said its investigation was ongoing and investigators were still working to identify other individuals behind darknet accounts. Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said the takedown showed “there will be no safe haven for drug dealing in cyberspace.”More: National news