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Last updated on Tuesday, April 17, 2012
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Six men, two of them from Indianapolis, face felony drug charges after an eight-month investigation of a suspected heroin ring in central and northern Indiana.
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office and Indiana State Police said Monday that they seized more than eight pounds of heroin, with a street value of more than $400,000, about $434,000 in cash, guns and six vehicles, including a flatbed trailer.
Police said the distribution ring operated in Indianapolis, South Bend and Chicago.
The investigation began when an undercover trooper bought heroin from two men in Indianapolis, police said. That buy led investigators to a suspected supplier in South Bend.
Several search warrants were served in South Bend and Indianapolis, leading to the seizure of the drugs, cash and vehicles, police said.
Prosecutors charged these men with conspiracy to commit dealing in narcotics and dealing in narcotics:
Johanney Quintana, 44, of Stickney, Ill., Curtis Lee III, 37, of South Bend, Darnell Beverley, 33, of Indianapolis, Nash Garrett, 29, Dlon Edwards and Jerome Boyd, 38, of South Bend, face multiple drug charges and could be sentenced from 20 to 50 years in prison, if convicted.
Police said Beverly was distributing heroin from an auto repair shop in the 1900 block of East 46th Street.
All except Edwards was in custody Monday morning.
"This has put a significant dent in the heroin traffic in the city of Indianapolis," said ISP Capt. Dave Bursten.
Prosecutors said they believe Lee was the leader of the operation.
"We have received anecdotal information from law enforcement officers in Marion County that heroin appears to be making a resurgence on the streets," said Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry. "These arrests and charge illustrate the critical importance of cooperation among law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting these cases."
South Bend police, Indianapolis police and the Drug Enforcement Administration were also involved in the investigation.
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