6 arrested in Tulsa during multi-agency operation targeting heroin traffickers
TULSA, Okla. — Six people were arrested in Tulsa Wednesday and more than $100,000 was seized following the execution of six state search warrants during a multi-agency operation targeting a major Mexican-based drug-trafficking organization (DTO) involved in smuggling and distributing heroin.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is leading this investigation in close partnership with Tulsa County Sheriff's Office (TCSO). The following agencies assisted in this operation: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Tulsa Police Department, FBI, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Drug Enforcement Administration, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. HSI special agents from the following cities also assisted in the July 13 operation: Dallas and Amarillo, Texas; Ft. Smith and Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In addition to the six people arrested, the following items were seized: $106,505 in suspected drug proceeds, three firearms (one stolen, and one illegally possessed by a convicted felon) two vehicles, and 13 ounces of black tar heroin. The subjects were arrested on state charges including: trafficking in illegal drugs, possession/receipt of drug proceeds, unlawful delivery of a dangerous and controlled substance and possession of a firearm after former conviction of a felony.
The search warrants were executed at the following Tulsa neighborhoods: 8000-block of E. 25th Place, 2100-block of N. Louisville Ave., 3800-block of S. Rockford Ave., 3600-block of S. Indianapolis Ave., 1500-block of S. Elwood Ave., and 2200-block of E. 12th St.
During the search of one residence, agents and officers located what appeared to be a pipe bomb. The residence was evacuated and ATF and the Tulsa Police Department bomb squad responded, rendered the device safe and determined it was inert and without any explosive material inside.
"This five-year-plus investigation has already been responsible for removing illegal drugs from our communities and prosecuting some of the criminals involved," said Katrina Berger, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas, which oversees the state of Oklahoma. "We will continue to work closely with Tulsa County Sheriff's Office and many other law enforcement partners in the ongoing war against illegal drugs and drug traffickers."
"TCSO and our partners made a significant impact on the heroin trade in Tulsa County today," said Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado. "TCSO would like to thank all the agencies involved. No doubt our community is safer thanks to the cooperation of everyone that took part in this major drug bust."
This investigation, dubbed Operation Train Tracks, began with HSI Tulsa special agents investigating the distribution of large quantities of black tar heroin in Tulsa. Before the July 13 operation, the investigation resulted in 15 federal and 25 state criminal arrests, 15 federal indictments, 14 convictions, the seizure of over 19 kilos of heroin and the seizure of $170,000 U.S. currency.
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