OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Oakland County Sheriff's Office has brought down a drug trafficking organization that operated in within the county and metro Detroit area.
Officials say five men were arrested and a large amount of drugs were seized including: 1.5 kilos of cocaine, 1,022 grams of heroin and fentanyl mix, 600 grams of cutting agents, 20 pounds of marijuana, digital scales, grinders, packaging material, a .40 caliber handgun, and $67,000 in cash. The street value of the seized narcotics totaled more than $500,000.
"Just the fentanyl was that was seized in this case is estimated to be able to have killed over 18,000 people," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said during a press conference Thursday.
The suspects were under surveillance as part of an investigation that began in October 2018. Officials discovered the men were trafficking large quantities of heroin and cocaine and obtained and executed four search warrants in Pontiac, Southfield and Eastpointe.
“I applaud the detailed and effective work of our NET Detectives,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “Dismantling this organized DTO took dangerous criminals and drugs off the streets where we live and work. We will remain dedicated to investigating and prosecuting these death dealers to the fullest extent of the law. At a time when opioid overdoses are among the leading cause of death in America, we will be relentless in our efforts to arrest those profiting from the pain and death of others.”
The document below lists the suspects that were arrested and charged:
MEDIA RELEASE - Drug Trafficking Organization Dismantled in Oakland County by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
All five suspects posted bond and are no longer in the custody of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
"The paperwork’s not even dry and they’re already back out on the street," Bouchard said.
The sheriff said it's unclear how much of the local drug supply this bust took off the street, but noted this was a large-scale drug ring.
"It’s in every community not just in Oakland County in the country. And people that are profiting off this need to be stopped." Bouchard said.
All five suspects return to court March 26. The most serious charge is Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics, which carries with it the possibility of up to 20 years behind bars.
The Narcotics Enforcement Team is comprised of investigators from Farmington Hills PD and West Bloomfield PD.
