ICE and Oklahoma-based law enforcement arrest 10 after executing 9 search warrants in Oklahoma looking for evidence of heroin smuggling and distribution
TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma-based law enforcement agents and officers arrested 10 people Wednesday after executing nine search warrants looking for evidence of heroin smuggling and distribution in Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Wagoner County. In addition, the following items were seized: $123,042 in U.S. currency, 4.5 pounds of heroin, eight vehicles and two firearms.
This operation was led by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and included the following agencies: Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office, Tulsa Police Department, Broken Arrow Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, Wagoner County Drug Task Force, HSI Dallas Special Response Team, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The subjects targeted are estimated to be supplying as much as two-thirds of the heroin in the Tulsa area.
“Every day, HSI special agents and other law enforcement officers around the country are conducting investigations like this to keep heroin and other dangerous drugs out of our communities,” said Katrina W. Berger, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas, which includes the state of Oklahoma. “Such investigations are especially effective when we team up with our law enforcement partners to attack this huge illegal drug problem together.”
“This is example of how partnerships in law enforcement can make our communities safer,” said Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado. “We will continue to work with our partners to be persistent in tracking down those who commit crimes and bring drugs into our community.”
Agents and officers arrested 10 people on state felony charges to include aggravated trafficking of a controlled and dangerous substance, possession of drug proceeds and use of a telephonic device to commit a felony. Two individuals encountered were administratively arrested on immigration charges for being illegally present in the United States. However, HSI determined that six of the 10 that were arrested on criminal charges were citizens and nationals of Mexico that were illegally present in the United States. Those charged with immigration violations will be issued notices to appear before a federal immigration judge.
This remains an ongoing investigation.
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