INDIANAPOLIS — Eight people were indicted on federal drug charges Tuesday after federal and local authorities conducted a series of raids in Indianapolis, U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler's office announced.
On Monday morning, officers seized 31 illegally processed firearms, four-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine, one-half kilogram of cocaine, one kilogram of fentanyl and approximately $272,000 in proceeds from drug trafficking, according to a news release.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department served a total of 16 search warrants and federal arrest warrants.
“These indictments demonstrate our commitment to eradicating violent criminal enterprises. Even during the COVID shutdown, the FBI and our law enforcement partners were still engaged in investigations to reduce violent crime,” Paul Keenan, special agent in charge of FBI Indianapolis, said. “What you saw Monday was the result of the dedicated work of multiple agencies with one shared goal — to make the community safer for residents who shouldn’t have to live in fear.”
The people arrested included seven Indianapolis residents and one Muncie resident. If convicted, they face up to life in prison, a $10,000 fine and five years of supervised release.
The investigation, which began in the fall of 2019, led investigators to Muncie where meetings took place and methamphetamine was transported back to Vans Auto Repair in Indianapolis to be distributed.
“Federal task forces are taking note of the increasing incidents of violence in Indianapolis,” said Kathy Enstrom, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “These search and arrest warrants have taken guns, drugs, and violent offenders off the streets of Indianapolis.”
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, DEA Indianapolis District Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IMPD investigated the case.
