“Operation Red Card”
Multi-agency coalition led by USAO of federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat and prosecute violent crime in the Kansas City metro area
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Over the past week, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, with the help of prosecutors, cleared 442 warrants, most of which are for violent crimes.
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the results of “Operation Red Card”, a multi-agency law enforcement operation that identified, apprehended, and initiated prosecution against some of the most violent offenders in the Greater Kansas City, Mo. metro area. Its mission was straightforward: use existing Missouri and Kansas City-based law enforcement resources in a coordinated way to serve warrants across partner agencies, arrest individuals wanted for serious crimes and identify additional evidence that supports successful prosecution.
This effort resulted in 442 warrants being cleared, and 170 defendants charged with various offenses, involving firearms and narcotics. During the investigations into these matters, law enforcement seized a total of 8.8 pounds of fentanyl, 418 pounds of methamphetamine, 247 firearms, 52 pounds of ketamine, 15 pounds of MDMA, 6 pounds of cocaine, and $460,872. In addition, five warrants were cleared for individuals wanted for homicide,
“Operation Red Card represents the tremendous progress that occurs when federal, state, and local agencies collaborate and align their priorities, resources, and focus to confront violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “Through this unified effort, people across greater Kansas City, and visitors this summer, can rest easier knowing that dangerous individuals have been removed from our streets.”
U.S. Attorney Price thanks the partner agencies in this coordinated effort including:
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Independence Police Department
- Jackson County Drug Task Force
- Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- Kansas City Kansas Police Department
- Kansas City Missouri Police Department
- United States Marshals Service
- And the United States Postal Inspection Service
“The idea behind Operation Red Card is simple. When company is coming over, our home should be a place where guests feel welcomed and able to safely enjoy themselves. We are doing no different on both sides of the state line here in Kansas City with this operation.” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Since becoming the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, I’ve prioritized strengthening the relationship between the federal government and our local and state law enforcement partners. Operation Red Card has continued these efforts by reinforcing that unified communication and combined muscle memory in anticipation of the World Cup. The entire Kansas City metropolitan area can rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to ensure we have a safe and historic international sporting event.”
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The charges contained in any charging document are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
A video of the Operation Red Card press conference, B-roll of the operation, and photos are available on FBI DVIDS.
https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/fbi
