'Significantly disrupted:' FBI arrests 8 during simultaneous raids; recovers weapons, drugs, cash

MILWAUKEE COUNTY -- Raids by the FBI Wednesday morning, Aug. 8 in Milwaukee County ended with eight arrests, and the recovery of heroin, firearms, cash and vehicles.

On Tuesday, Aug. 7, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment. On Wednesday, law enforcement arrested suspects officials believe are responsible for a lot of heroin distribution and violence in our area.

Two hundred FBI agents, local officers and others went to 11 different locations in Milwaukee Wednesday morning.

 

The target -- top heroin distributors in the community. The FBI and others have been investigating a violent gang in the area for the past year -- a subset of the national violent gang, "The Vice Lords."

"This particular group deals in heroin. We significantly disrupted them today. Did we stop it? No, but we're going to continue to investigate this group," said Jason Soule, FBI.

Officials said they recovered heroin, 11 firearms, approximately $30,000 and multiple vehicles.

"This particular group, their levels of violence range from homicides to non-fatal shootings, carjackings, armed robberies," said Soule.

The early-morning raids did not lead to any struggles. In fact, agents were even able to distract aggressive dogs guarding some of the homes. Still, the operation was dangerous.

"Even though it's exciting to see our investigation come to a conclusion, sending our people into the unknown is concerning, but they all stepped up and accomplished, and without reservation," said Soule.

In a news release, the United State's Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin identified the below eight individuals arrested and indicted with conspiracy to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin:

All eight of the above individuals were arrested Wednesday.