FBI Busts 'Large-Scale' Drug Ring Operating Out Of Abandoned Homes In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - Federal authorities have busted a "large-scale" drug ring operating on Detroit's east side.
The U.S. Attorneys office says 24 people from Detroit, Harper Woods, Monroe, Pontiac, Romulus, Roseville, Southfield, and Jackson were indicted on drug charges.
The group allegedly used 16 mostly abandoned homes in the Ravendale neighborhood to sell cocaine and heroin over the past several years.
Local, state and federal officers have seized drugs and weapons from many of the homes and were able to connect them to the drug ring.
[CLICK HERE for a rundown of names and crimes of those indicted]
"We are extremely proud of the outstanding work done today by our agents and law enforcement partners, which is the result of long-term efforts to counter violent crime, illegal drugs, and organized criminal activity," said Paul Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, in a media release. "The success and impact of this joint effort is an example of our continued commitment together to ensure public safety and protect the citizens we serve in the city and the metropolitan area."
Six of the suspects are also accused of being involved in a dog fighting ring in which they bought, bred and trained dogs to fight.
"Large-scale, armed drug trafficking organizations that operate out of homes in residential areas create an unacceptable risk of violence to our neighborhoods," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said. "Dogfighting not only exposes animals to torture for human amusement, but it also poses a safety hazard for residents living in our community when dogs are trained to attack."
An FBI Violent Gang Task Force — including Detroit police, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers — led the investigation.
