Major Public Safety Gains from Summer Crackdown Targeting Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking in Washington DC
60 Defendants Indicted, 533 Firearms Seized, 160+ Kilograms of Illegal Drugs Seized, 28 Known Gang Members Arrested
WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced significant outcomes from her multi-agency summer crackdowns aimed at reducing violent crime and dismantling narcotics trafficking networks throughout the District. Over the summer months, federal prosecutors partnered closely with the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, and additional agencies to focus resources on individuals driving violence and drug distribution in D.C. neighborhoods.
The achievements outlined below represent federal prosecutions and enforcement actions led by the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking and Federal Major Crimes Sections; they do not encompass local prosecutions pursued in D.C. Superior Court.
During the summer investigative push, law enforcement seized 533 illegal firearms and recovered substantial quantities of narcotics, including 64.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, 46.7 kilograms of cocaine, 3.4 kilograms of crack cocaine, and 3.0 kilograms of fentanyl. These efforts were supported by an aggressive prosecution strategy that resulted in more than 60 defendants being federally indicted. Of the individuals charged, 30 were involved in serious narcotics offenses and 30 were charged in felon‑in‑possession cases. In addition, authorities arrested 28 known gang members whose activities contributed to persistent violence in affected communities.
The summer enforcement push also produced several major takedowns. One investigation led to the dismantling of an 11‑defendant methamphetamine and GBL trafficking conspiracy with international ties to South Korea. Another operation targeted a 14‑defendant crack cocaine distribution ring operating within 1,000 feet of Hendley Elementary School; investigators seized 28 firearms, kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and additional narcotics during the course of the investigation. A third large‑scale case involved the operator of Forest Floor LLC, who was trafficking MDMA within 1,000 feet of Catholic University. In that case, law enforcement seized more than $250,000 in cash, $200,000 in jewelry, 74 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, and 18 pounds of marijuana.
The Office also reported significant progress from its International Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operations. This included indictments of 19 defendants—among them, three Mexican nationals—along with 26 arrests and 15 convictions. Agents seized more than 2,300 kilograms of cocaine and recovered over $1.6 million in drug proceeds stemming from transnational trafficking routes.
Federal prosecutors secured convictions for 11 defendants across multiple federal jury trials during the summer period. These included four defendants convicted in a crew‑related murder conspiracy, who face mandatory minimum sentences of 40 years (lead defendant) and 30 years; three defendants convicted in a felony‑robbery murder case carrying a mandatory minimum of 30 years; and one defendant found guilty of carrying out a spree of armed robberies targeting convenience stores, who faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 31 years. Additional convictions included an Armed Career Criminal charged with felon‑in‑possession, a defendant convicted of felon‑in‑possession connected to a crime of violence, and a convicted sex offender found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm.
