The results of a 12-month, multi-agency investigation targeting violent crime and narcotics trafficking in Coconino. Maricopa, & Navajo County, Arizona were announced on Tuesday.
Over 100 law enforcement personnel conducted predawn arrest and search warrants in the cities of Flagstaff, AZ., Glendale, AZ., Winslow, AZ., Page, AZ., with the principle amount of arrests being conducted in Flagstaff, AZ, on Tuesday.
The investigation began in mid-May, 2015, when ATF agents and members of the Flagstaff Metro Narcotics Taskforce joined forces with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies in Northern Arizona to combat the spike of narcotics trafficking and violent crime in Coconino County. The investigators utilized a number of techniques, including undercover operations, historical investigation and targeting of violent repeat offenders in possession of firearms and narcotics.
Over the past year, ATF and the Flagstaff Metro Narcotics Taskforce conducted over 100 successful controlled purchases of evidence from suspects throughout central and northern Arizona. As a result, over 5 pounds of methamphetamine, 90 grams of heroin, and 8 firearms were taken as evidence. The one and a half year investigation implicated 50 defendants in various crimes involving racketeering, control/participation in a criminal enterprise, felons in possession of firearms, aggravated assault, armed robberies, narcotics distribution, money laundering, wire fraud, trafficking in stolen property, misconduct involving weapons and the burglary of over 60 firearms. Collectively, the 50 defendants have been indicted on 127 felony charges. They have 156 prior felony convictions, and 518 prior arrests. The investigation is still ongoing, with the possibility of additional federal and state defendants and charges.
In announcing the results of the investigation, ATF Special Agent in Charge, Thomas G. Atteberry said, “This operation is a great example of how local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to prevent violent crimes. It also reinforces that there are consequences to those that choose to distribute narcotics and commit violent crimes in our state. Our goal is simple: to put these repeat offenders behind bars for as long as possible, and keep them from interacting with the good people of Arizona.”
The Chief of Police for Flagstaff, Kevin Treadway, stated, “I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the Officers and Agents involved in this one and a half year investigation. I believe this is the largest single operation in the 30 year history of the Northern Arizona Street Crimes Task force known as Metro. In operations of this magnitude, we rely upon the assistance of our partners. We are particularly grateful for the collaboration of the ATF in this investigation. The Agents, Deputies and Officers of a variety of our local, county, state, and federal agencies assisting with today’s activities helped assure the safety of this operation. As a result of this extended investigation, a large quantity of narcotics has been removed from the streets of Flagstaff, and those responsible for their distribution in our community are being held accountable”.
To date, 38 of the 50 defendants have been arrested. Law enforcement is seeking 6 fugitives and 6 persons of interest.
Law enforcement officers took 3 firearms, one of which was a sawed off shotgun, and a ¼ pound of methamphetamine from a residence in Glendale, AZ.