December 10, 2015

FBI-Led Task Forces Target Drug Trade

David P. Gelios, special agent in charge, FBI-Detroit Division, was joined by James Craig, chief, Detroit Police Department to announce a joint operation today, in an effort to combat the problems of heroin overdoses and deaths in the tri-county area. The FBI-led Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime (OCGVC) Task Force executed seven federal search warrants in the area of Derby Street in the city of Detroit.

FBI OCGVC Task Force members include Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Royal Oak PD, Troy PD, Michigan Department of Corrections-Parole, Immigration Customs Enforcement-Enforcement Removal Office, Southfield PD, and Bloomfield Township PD.

These search warrants were executed in partnership with FBI Violent Gang Task Force, FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, FBI Macomb Gang and Violent Crime Task Force, Detroit Police Department, Oakland County Narcotic Enforcement Team (NET), and Drug Enforcement Administration.

This joint operation targeted the trade and trafficking of heroin and other narcotics in and around the area of Derby Street in Detroit. These searches are part of an ongoing effort to disrupt the illegal distribution of heroin and disable the drug trade in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

The tri-county area has seen a significant rise in the use of heroin, resulting in an increase of addictions, overdoses, and deaths in these counties. Many of them can be traced back to suppliers along the Woodward corridor. This week’s searches are part of a continuing effort to eliminate the ability of traffickers in these counties to supply the heroin that is fueling addiction and, ultimately, responsible for an alarming number of fatalities.

As part of this operation, significant support was provided by canine officers and their handlers from Michigan State Police, Oakland County Sheriff, Troy PD, Royal Oak PD, Southfield PD, Shelby Twp. PD, St. Clair Shores PD and Roseville PD.

“This is the second significant enforcement operation in the last few months aimed at shutting down these illegal operations,” said Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios. “The FBI, along with its law enforcement partners, is committed to working to combat heroin and other illegal drug problems and the violence that is all too often associated with drug trafficking, which impacts daily the quality of life in our communities.”

Chief James E. Craig said, “We certainly appreciate the partnership with the Federal Bureau Investigation in combating the existence of heroin within our communities. This partnership is yet another example of how we can work together to create safe neighborhoods. We will continue our efforts in attacking the drug epidemic that plaques our society and dampens the quality of life within our communities.”

“We will be relentless in combating heroin traffickers who have a devastating effect on our communities. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is proud to partner with its local, state, and federal counterparts to bring down drug dealers,” said Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. “We are united in our efforts to send a message that dealing drugs in Southeast Michigan will not be tolerated.

“In recent years, Royal Oak, like all communities, has seen an increase in heroin overdoses. Although the distributors did not operate out of Royal Oak, we have nonetheless had members of our community feel the devastating effects of this drug trafficking. Partnerships between law enforcement agencies at all levels have proven to be the most effective way to address these regional crime problems.”