The FBI Cleveland Cartel Gang Narcotics and Laundering Task Force seized 40 kilograms, or 88 pounds, of suspected fentanyl and other drugs during search warrants conducted in Cleveland and Painesville earlier this week, according to a press release from the FBI Cleveland.
The net amount of fentanyl seized in the operation “would be enough to kill 20 million people” and is valued at $5.2 million, the release said.
“The sheer volume of drugs recovered during this seizure is astounding. Identifying, investigating, and apprehending drug traffickers and the networks in which they work are one of the highest priorities of the FBI,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen.
The operation arrested two of the “organization's operatives” and seized four firearms, including two assault rifles, the release said.
The investigation into the Ohio brand of the drug trafficking organization that is based out of Mexico was a “collaborative effort” of federal, state and local partners from agencies across the U.S.
The following local agencies aided in the operation:
- Cleveland Division of Police
- United States Coast Guard Investigative Service
- Moreland Hills Police Department
- Bedford Police
- Parma Police Department
- Solon Police Department
- Independence Police Department
- Shaker Heights Police Department
- Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office
- Brooklyn Police Department
- North Royalton Police Department
- Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Police Department
- Ohio BCI
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Painesville Police Department
- Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office
“I commend the efforts of the FBI Cleveland Cartel Gang Narcotics & Laundering Task Force for the stellar results of this successful initiative,” said Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond. “Fentanyl is a poison affecting the lives of countless Ohioans and Americans. An investigation of this magnitude is a significant indicator of what is accomplished through strategic, partnered law enforcement initiatives.”
RELATED: Inside the DEA's battle against fake prescription pills
Watch live and local news any time:
Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, plus alerts on major news, the latest weather forecast, traffic information and much more. Download now on your Apple device here, and your Android device here.
You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We're also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.
