14 people face charges tied to drug trafficking operation in Racine
RACINE, Wis. - Federal officials announced on Thursday, Nov. 19 that charges have been filed in connection with a drug trafficking organization that had been operating in the Racine area -- and has ties to Chicago.
Officials announced 14 people are named in a federal indictment -- charging them with trafficking heroin, fentanyl, and other illegal substances in the Racine area.
Drugs and guns recovered from law enforcement action in Racine on Wednesday, Nov. 18
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, a joint operation arrested ten of the 14 defendants while search warrants were executed at undisclosed locations in Racine County. Four defendants remain on the run at this time.
During the execution of those search warrants, officers recovered seven firearms -- including a shotgun and several handguns.
Gun recovered from law enforcement action in Racine on Wednesday, Nov. 18
Gun recovered from law enforcement action in Racine on Wednesday, Nov. 18
Officials also indicated officers seized more than 200 grams of heroin, more than 100 grams of crack cocaine, 50 plus grams of fentanyl, and seized more than $8,000 of U.S. currency.
Officials noted just two milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose -- and used a picture of a penny to illustrate just how little two milligrams is.
Two milligrams of fentanyl is a lethal dose
"Such small amounts of fentanyl can be mixed with substances and then sold on the street as heroin. But it’s incredibly lethal," said Matt Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. "Users don’t know what’s in a mix and it’s taking lives."
Nobody was hurt during the execution of the joint operation on Wednesday.
If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to 40 years in prison.
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The defendants were charged based on an investigation led by law enforcement agents and officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the Racine County Sheriff’s Department, the City of Kenosha Police
Department, the City of Racine Police Department, and the City of Mount Pleasant Police Department.
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