AACo. Police Seize Nearly $1M In Guns And Drugs
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Historic drug bust. Anne Arundel County police seize nearly $1 million in guns and drugs, including a large amount of heroin.
Tracey Leong with more on the massive raid.
Multiple agencies worked together to bring down one of the largest drug trafficking rings in Anne Arundel County. Investigators are hoping this sends a message to other drug dealers across the state.
Bringing down a massive drug operation plaguing Anne Arundel County. An eight-month long investigation led to the indictment of eight people allegedly responsible for conspiring to import, package and distribute heroin.
"This makes me really happy to see this. This is a huge hit for Anne Arundel County and will definitely have an impact on the streets," said Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ron Bateman.
Agents seized drugs with a street value of $500,000, a dozen firearms, nearly $90,000 in cash as well as $300,000 worth of jewelry and cars.
Police made multiple arrests and are still actively looking for one more suspect -- 40-year-old Andres Fernandez.
Police call I-95 the heroin pipeline because of the easy access up and down the Northeast Corridor, contributing to the growing epidemic in Maryland.
"We get heroin both from the north New York and also south in places like Houston, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas," said Todd Edwards, DEA special agent.
DEA Special Agent Edwards says in order to win this drug war, they need to wipe out the supply and help those struggling with addiction.
"Talking to young people, especially. Keep them away from heroin and any drug. Hopefully, that will decrease the demand. If the demand drops then the supply will drop," said Edwards.
After taking down one of the biggest heroin empires, police want other drug dealers to know they will hunt them down as well.
"We will put you in jail, I will try to take your house, I will try to take the jewelry you put on your wife's fingers through the profits of this trade, and I'm going to try to take every other good thing you've had in your life as a result of it," said Chief Tim Altomare, Anne Arundel County Police Department.
Police are seeking the public's help in battling this epidemic. If you have any information, you're asked to contact police immediately.
The drug trafficking ring was operating across Anne Arundel County at seven different locations.