HSI Baltimore-led crime suppression surge nets 45 arrests in 6 weeks

BALTIMORE — Special agents from the Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore field office, commonly called HSI Baltimore, spearheaded a coordinated crime suppression operation in and around Baltimore to combat a recent rise in crime. The effort resulted in 45 criminal arrests in the six-week span between Oct. 13 and Nov. 30.

HSI Baltimore coordinated with state and local law enforcement agencies in all police districts throughout Baltimore and elsewhere in Maryland during the surge operation, which focused on individuals with active warrants who were allegedly responsible for violent incidents.

HSI’s 45 criminal arrests involved suspects with alleged offenses such as murder, attempted murder, rape, assault, handgun possession, home invasion, burglary, threat of mass violence, theft, drug possession and probation violations.

“I want to thank HSI Baltimore and all of our law enforcement partners for working in collaboration with our department to combat violent crime and create a safer Baltimore,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison. “This crime suppression operation is just another successful example of our strong partnerships in bringing to justice those responsible for the violence throughout our communities.”

Furthermore, the initiative resulted in the seizures of heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Suboxone and illegal firearms — including one ghost gun.

“I would like to congratulate the agents from HSI Baltimore on this successful operation that will not only remove bad guys from the streets of Baltimore, but also illegal drugs and guns,” said Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland’s Second Congressional District. “The dedicated agents of the HSI Baltimore field office are doing outstanding work in collaboration with our state and local law enforcement. I have proudly supported their efforts in Congress and will continue to fight for the resources they and our other law enforcement partners need to reduce the unacceptable level of violence in our community.”

The crime suppression operation was a collaboration between HSI Baltimore, the Baltimore City Police Department, the Maryland State Troopers, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and Prince George’s County Police Department, the U.S. attorney’s office and other local law enforcement agencies.

“Thanks to efforts like these, we are making progress in our goal to remove armed violent criminals from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron. “All of us in law enforcement are committed to trying new and innovative ways to prevent and reduce violent crime.”

HSI encourages you to report suspected crime and any suspicious activity in your neighborhood through its toll-free tip line at 866-347-2423. This phone line is staffed around the clock. From outside the United States and Canada, dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users may call TTY 802-872-6196.

“This operation is a great example of what can be accomplished when federal and local law enforcement agencies work in collaboration,” said Harris. “HSI Baltimore and our law enforcement partners will continue to keep pressure on violent individuals who continuously cause physical, emotional or financial harm within our communities.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents the Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.