-- FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Kankakee County Sheriff Department…among departments involved --

An FBI led investigation recently led to nearly 30 arrests in Central Illinois. Suspects were allegedly involved in weapons and drug offenses, according to the FBI Office in Springfield. Law enforcement personnel in Danville, Kankakee, Decatur and beyond pooled resources in a 5-day initiative that focused on locating violent offenders with active warrants. Ryan Presley, Special Agent of the FBI Springfield Field Office, said targets of the operation were the most “high impact” fugitives in east-central Illinois. Presley said the FBI worked alongside local law enforcement to make the arrests.

Presley added, no single agency can combat violent crime alone. And by pooling resources, immediate threats to the public were eliminated.
Highlights of ‘Operation Viper’ include:
• 29 arrested  • Seizure of drugs, over nine pounds of marijuana  *Almost two pounds of unidentified pills  *  Eight ounces of methamphetamine  *  Almost two ounces of cocaine  • The seizure of five handguns and two assault rifles.

“The success of Operation Viper highlights the seamless integration of federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said Ryan Presley, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Springfield Field Office. “No single agency can combat violent crime alone, but by pooling resources, immediate threats to the public were eliminated. Maintaining this relentless pressure on violent crime remains a priority to protect the public.”

94.1 WGFA