Twelve people from around the U.S. connected to a drug trafficking ring in D.C. are now facing federal charges after recent arrests in D.C., Maryland, and Los Angeles, according to U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro’s office.
Pirro touted the arrests on Tuesday as part of an update on the year-long investigation into PCP and fentanyl sales in the 2900 block of Knox Place, Southeast, by an alleged D.C.-based drug trafficking organization. She also announced the execution of 20 residential search warrants in D.C., Maryland, and Los Angeles.
According to investigators, the defendants in the accused trafficking ring obtained the drugs via a Baltimore-based co-conspirator, who imported them from California. One of the shipments, which contained 17 liters of PCP, was intercepted by law authorities near Topeka, Kansas.
Officials have already indicted seven of the twelve arrested, turned them over to the FBI, and charged five more with drug-related offenses. An additional suspect, who has previously been charged, is still at large.
Officials reported recovering 18 firearms, including an AR-style rifle, a shotgun, and a Draco-style pistol. Federal authorities also discovered at least two kilograms of suspected narcotics, over $50,000 in cash, and a pill press commonly used to produce fentanyl tablets.
Six of the eight indicted suspects will face obligatory minimum sentences of ten years, while two will face sentences of fifteen years.
The murder in Southeast, which happened overnight on Tuesday, also devastated Judge Pirro.
It ended a nearly two-week drought.
“We were counting every day. You’re absolutely correct; they’ll be evil. Are they going to keep committing crimes?” Indeed,” Judge Pirro answered.
She insists that President Trump and her administration are doing everything possible to deter and combat violent crime.
“Do people intend to commit crimes?” “Of course they do,” she stated. “I believe everyone in this room is aware. There is a small fraction of people who commit violent crimes on a regular basis, particularly in areas where bail is not available.”
7News asked the US Attorney about the takeover’s effect on jail overcrowding and whether some inmates are being moved to Maryland.
Pirro stated, “That’s the last thing I’m worried about.”