IRONWOOD, MI-- Police have broken up a huge drug trafficking ring connecting Las Vegas with the Western U.P.
The Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotics Team and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a two-year investigation into the delivery of meth in the area. It resulted in the conviction of Richard Jon Hill, 39, known in the Ironwood area as “Rock Star Rick.” Hill was sentenced to 15 years in prison on federal drug charges.
Officials say Hill grew up in Ironwood, moved to Las Vegas in 2000, and began using meth. When he moved back to the U.P. in 2012 he brought the drug back to sell and eventually had the meth delivered from Nevada. Police say the drug was more than 99 percent pure and the ring helped spread the meth epidemic across the region.
About $40,000 worth of meth was seized from Hill’s home in the investigation. As a whole the conspiracy involved at least $200,000 worth of methamphetamine.
Six other suspects were convicted on drug trafficking charges along with Hill.
The case represents the largest meth bust in U.P. history.
