7 Indicted As Authorities Take Down Sophisticated Tri-County Heroin Ring
DETROIT (WWJ) - A major heroin trafficking operation that stretched from Detroit into Oakland and Macomb counties has been busted, authorities say.
Seven men were indicted in connection with the case, according to U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, who said six of them are Detroit residents and one is from Hamtramck.
McQuade said the accused ran a sophisticated network, operating along Woodward Ave. from 6 Mile to 8 Mile Road — even handing out business cards to clients.
"Customers were coming from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties — so, all of these communities, all of these counties, have a strong interest in dismantling this organization," said McQuade. "And we had great regional cooperation, which I think this is essential when you've got a crime like this that's really permeating the region."
Detroit police, the FBI, Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Royal Oak, Ferndale and Troy Police Departments were among law enforcement agencies working together on the case.
The men under indictment allegedly arranged heroin sales and transported the drug in a secret compartment near the zipper of their pants.
The indictment charges the following seven men with conspiracy to sell heroin:
- Albert Street, 34, aka "Curly" and "Curl"
- Floyd Shaw, 20, aka "Biggs" and "Ray J"
- Chris Coleman, 38, aka "Snoop" and "Scoop"
- Andre Little, 37, aka "Dre"
- Devon Street, 21, aka "Lil Bro," "Da Da" and "J Dirt"
- James White, 22, aka "Little Head"
- Carlos Cozart, 24, aka "Braces," of Hamtramck
McQuade said Coleman and Shaw are also charged with distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury after several people were harmed by the drug.
"You know, we've made it a priority to go after distribution of heroin that results in overdose deaths ... and a risk of death," said McQuade. "...We had some victims who did overdose and survived only because paramedics revived them."
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard praised those on the task force for their efforts.
"Oakland County has witnessed heroin-related deaths double in recent years," he said. "The effect that this illegal drug has had on our communities and families has been devastating."