(WUSA) – The arrests of 70 suspects for the possession and distribution of firearms and narcotics with a street value of more than $7.1 million were announced Monday by DC Police Chief Cathy Lanier and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The joint operation among DC Police, ATF, FBI, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) was initiated in 2010 to disrupt and dismantle illegal firearms trafficking, drug trafficking, and fencing operations within DC.
In November 2010, “Operation Manic Enterprises” was initiated with an undercover location set up as a recording studio for a rap artist. This was utilized to make the majority of undercover purchases. The operation continued through November 2011.
Approximately 80 pounds of methamphetamine, 9.6 kilograms of cocaine, 1.25 gallons of PCP, 23.5 pounds of marijuana, heroin and MDMA/ecstasy were seized by MPD’s Major Narcotics unit and federal authoriries. The drugs were purchased and seized by the detectives in the investigation. Additionally 161 firearms, including 29 assault weapons were purchased or seized during the undercover operation.
“If these drugs and guns had made it to our streets, the impact would have been devastating to the community,” said Lanier according to a statement.
