ST. LOUIS, MO - Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is making significant progress in the fight against drugs, illegal weapons and violent gangs, making St. Louis and local communities safer for those who live and travel there.
During the last week of June, HSI special agents executed search warrants as part of three separate investigations, resulting in the removal of substantial amounts of illicit cash, drugs and weapons from the streets, according to a press release from ICE.
The investigations yielded approximately $445,307 in U.S. currency, 64.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, 4.2 kilograms of marijuana, 460 grams of liquid THC, 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including cutting agents, 12 firearms and two luxury vehicles. Seven individuals were arrested in connection with alleged drug and firearms violations. All seized items were connected to drug activity or weapons trafficking.
These cases are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, the press release stated. "The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad," ICE wrote.
The HSTF operations identify, investigate and prosecute the full spectrum of crimes committed by said organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within the United States. "In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children," the press release said.
"Our HSI agents do not typically receive public recognition for the dangerous work they do, nor do they seek it,” said HSI St. Louis Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gregory Paris. “Their commitment to excellence led to this significant victory in the fight against violent crime. These items have direct and indirect impacts on the community — they ruin or end lives and tear families apart. I admire my agents’ dedication to making our community safer and their relentless determination to never give up on any case. Victims deserve it, and justice demands it."
HSTF St. Louis includes a designated Violent Gang Task Force, and is comprised of agents and officers from federal, state and local law enforcement, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
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