Special Agent in Charge Stephen Anthony, Cleveland Division of the FBI; Chief Calvin Williams, Cleveland Division of Police; Director Derek Siegle, Ohio HIDTA; Chief Robert Miller, Parma Police Department; Chief Kelly Stillman, Rocky River Police Department; and Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison, U.S. Border Patrol, Detroit Sector announce the arrests of Denisa Alicka (26) and Jonida Alicka (28), of Rocky River.

On March 15, 2016 at approximately 7:15 a.m., law enforcement officers from the Cleveland Division of the FBI to include members of the Cleveland Organized Crime Task Force, Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio HIDTA, Parma Police Department, Rocky River Police Department, and U.S. Border Patrol arrested Denisa Alicka and Jonida Alicka at their residences. Both were taken into custody without incident. Simultaneous to the arrests, search warrants were executed on Denisa Alicka and Jonida Alicka’s residences. The warrants were executed based on complaints filed in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, charging that Denisa Alicka and Jonida Alicka possessed with the intent to distribute MDMA and marijuana and/or conspired to distribute MDMA and marijuana in violation of Title 21 U.S.C., Sections 841 and 846.

The arrest and search warrants culminate a joint investigation between the above-listed law enforcement agencies and the Detroit Division of the FBI detailing multiple sales of MDMA and marijuana by Denisa and Jonida Alicka (sisters) from their residences and vehicles between September 2014 and March 2016. Investigation determined that Denisa and Jonida Alicka obtained MDMA and marijuana through Denisa’s boyfriend, Rinald Turhani (37) and his friend, Leka Konini (46), both from Michigan. Jonida Alicka also obtained MDMA from her boyfriend who resides in Canada. Investigation disclosed that Denisa Alicka travelled to Michigan on several occasions to pick up the narcotics and transport them back to Ohio. Jonida Alicka, a reserve police officer with the Linndale Police Department, traveled to New York to pick up MDMA and transport it back to Ohio. Denisa and Jonida Alicka distributed the narcotics by way of sale throughout the Northern District of Ohio.

At the time of this release, Turhani was placed into custody without incident by the Detroit Division of the FBI, but Konini remains a fugitive from justice.

“I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their efforts during this investigation that culminated in these arrests and searches,” said Stephen Anthony, Special Agent in Charge, Cleveland Division of the FBI. “These defendants will no longer benefit from harming others by selling drugs, and Jonida Alicka will no longer endanger the very community she swore to protect.”

“Working together, our officers and agents were able to put a stop to this serious illegal drug activity,” said Chief Calvin Williams, Cleveland Division of Police. “It is through our partnered efforts in the task force that these cases are solved.”

“The charges allege this group brought drugs to Ohio from Michigan and New York,” Acting U.S. Attorney Carole S. Rendon said. “They will now be held accountable for their actions.”

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to Special Agent Donna Sullivan at the Cleveland Field office of the FBI, (216) 522-1400 or donna.sullivan@ic.fbi.gov.