By: Associated Press//June 14, 2016//
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Authorities say they have busted a heroin ring in southeastern Wisconsin.
U.S. Attorney for Eastern Wisconsin Gregory Haanstad said Tuesday that 18 people have been charged in a federal indictment with conspiring to distribute heroin.
Earlier Tuesday, federal, state and local law agencies arrested 17 of the defendants in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Chicago. One of the defendants remains at large.
Agents also executed search warrants in the Milwaukee and Kenosha areas, seizing heroin and cocaine, 16 firearms and about $150,000 in cash.
Haanstad says Milwaukee is seeing a heroin epidemic, and the investigation is part of a collaborative effort by law enforcement to crack down on the problem.
Investigative agencies included the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Milwaukee Police Department and the Wisconsin High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force.