BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Dozens of people were arrested during an investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in parts of Northeast Wisconsin.
On Wednesday, the Brown County Drug Task Force and Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group announced the results of their 14-month-long investigation. Officials say this drug ring has ties to Mexican drug cartels and “was responsible for distributing large amounts of cocaine and marijuana throughout Northeast Wisconsin communities.”
In total, 38 arrests were made — including 15 on Wednesday after police executed 11 search warrants in Bellevue, Green Bay, Lawrence and Neenah. Seized during this operation was:
- Two kilograms of cocaine
- Seven pounds of marijuana
- 21 firearms
- Two vehicles
- $28,400 in currency
23 others were arrested over the course of the entire investigation. The following items were seized during these arrests:
- 1.2 kilograms of cocaine
- 38 pounds of marijuana
- Six firearms
- $18,100 in currency
Authorities say more arrests are expected in the future. Charges are being referred to the Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago district attorney’s offices.
Assisting in this investigation was Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Green Bay Police Department, De Pere Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, Kewaunee County Sheriff’s Office, Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation.
