Wisconsin Department of Justice
Press Release

Six Arrested for Trafficking Fentanyl from Arizona to Madison, Wis.

March 24, 2023

By - Mar 24th, 2023 09:01 am

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) today announced the arrest of six individuals for their participation in coordinating over five kilograms in fentanyl shipments from Arizona to Madison, Wis. through the United States Postal Service. At the time of the arrest, six firearms were seized, including one modified to be fully automatic.

“Fentanyl is incredibly dangerous. We’re committed to dismantling the networks that traffic this and other dangerous narcotics and to holding those who sell fentanyl and other dangerous drugs accountable,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the many law enforcement officers, including those in DCI, who made these arrests possible.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service works diligently to preserve the integrity of the US Mail,” said Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, which includes Wisconsin. “People who use the mail to distribute dangerous drugs cause great harm to our communities, and they also place USPS employees at risk of exposure to dangerous controlled substances as well as violence associated with drug trafficking. These arrests reflect successful teamwork among federal, state and local law enforcement. We want the public to know that U.S. Postal Inspectors will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to use the Postal Service for criminal activity.”

“The DEA is grateful for the partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in removing deadly, illicit fentanyl from our communities while holding drug traffickers accountable in our criminal justice system,” said John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Drug Enforcement Administration-Milwaukee District Office. “The trafficking of over five kilograms of fentanyl into Wisconsin is troubling, especially when only two milligrams, equivalent to just a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose.”

Law enforcement arrested the following individuals on Monday, March 20, 2023:

All six individuals listed above are facing federal drug trafficking charges. Warrants have been issued for two other individuals in connection to this case.

As in any criminal proceeding, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The investigation was worked cooperatively with DCI, United States Postal Inspection Services, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and the Madison Police Department. This case will be prosecuted in the Western District of Wisconsin.

Find this press release here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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