NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gwendolyn Crump (MPD), (202)727-4383
Senior Special Agent/PIO Mike Campbell, (202) 648-8021
Metropolitan Police and Federal Partners Seize $7.1 Million in Drugs in Operation
(Washington, DC) - Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy L. Lanier and members from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), announced today the arrests of 70 suspects for the possession and distribution of firearms and narcotics with a street value of more than $7.1 million.
The joint operation between MPD, ATF, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) was initiated to disrupt and dismantle illegal firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and fencing operations within the District of Columbia.
On November 2, 2010, “Operation Manic Enterprises” was initiated. An undercover location was set up as a recording studio for a rap artist and was utilized to make the majority of undercover purchases. The operation continued through November 2011.
MPD’s Major Narcotics Unit and federal authorities seized approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.25 gallons of PCP, 23.5 pounds of marijuana, heroin and MDMA/ecstasy. The drugs were purchased and seized by the detectives in the investigation. Additionally 161 firearms, including 29 assault weapons were purchased or seized during the undercover operation.
“If these drugs and guns had made it to our streets, the impact would have been devastating to community, said Chief Lanier. This was an extremely dangerous operation. These suspects had bragged about other violent crimes they had committed and had no qualms about killing police officers, guards and other innocent people. All the law enforcement members involved in this operation are to be commended for their bravery.”
Numerous violent crimes were closed with arrests.
“It was just about two years ago to the day that we stood here with Chief Lanier and talked about our commitment to the safety of the citizens in the District of Columbia,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Rich Marianos. “Today's event shows that the men and women of ATF kept their word, and continue their work in making the citizens of DC safer.”
“These investigations have proven very effective in targeting criminals and keeping drugs and guns off our community’s streets,” said U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners and the citizens of the District of Columbia to bringing those who traffic in narcotics and firearms to justice.”
Anyone with information about crimes that occur in the District is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIM [E]. Anonymous information may also be forwarded to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.
Gwendolyn Crump
Director, Office of Communications
Metropolitan Police Department
300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 5130
Washington, DC 20001
202-727-9346 desk
202-727-4383 main
202-553-8741 cell
gwendolyn.crump@dc.gov
Join Mayor Gray’s One City • One Hire - 10,000 Jobs Campaign
“Putting District Residents Back to Work – One Hire at a Time”
Learn more at http://onecityonehire.org
No comments:
Post a Comment