A series of arrests targeting large-scale drug trafficking organizations operating throughout the United States has been carried out. The highest number of arrests have been made in Alaska, West Virginia, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
According to a press release by the Department of Justice, charges were announced against 82 defendants in West Virginia on January 24th. A Baltimore drug supplier had reportedly supplied people in the area with large quantities of fentanyl capsules and powder with the intent to redistribute the drugs in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Cocaine, methamphetamine, firearms, and substantial amounts of money were also discovered during the investigation. In Mississippi, 40 individuals were arrested following a four-year federal investigation that identified multiple large-scale drug trafficking organizations operating within the state. These organizations primarily distributed methamphetamine and cocaine. Investigators found over five kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, and 36 firearms.
The press release also revealed that charges were brought against 19 defendants in Nebraska who were distributing methamphetamine throughout the state. Alejandro Ruiz is alleged to have run this crime ring from California after distributing methamphetamine from California to the Midwest. Meanwhile, Alaska brought charges against 54 defendants who were part of a large-scale organized crime ring responsible for distributing drugs across Alaska. This ring was allegedly run by an inmate from a California prison. From February 2022 to July 2023, law enforcement intercepted over 36 kilograms of fentanyl, 27.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 118 grams of cocaine, and 11.3 kilograms of heroin.
"Every year, tens of thousands of Americans die from illicit drugs trafficked into our communities, including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. "This wave of indictments and arrests — stretching from Alaska to Mississippi and from Nebraska to West Virginia — shows the reach of the Justice Department and our partners across the country and around the world when it comes to disrupting narcotics trafficking."
