ATF, CMPD on gun, drug arrests: 'Make no mistake, our community is safer'

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By Mark Becker

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials announced Tuesday the results of a special undercover operation that targeted violent criminals plaguing Charlotte neighborhoods.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington revealed that 44 people were arrested on drug and gun charges starting early Monday morning and into Tuesday. He said 12 will be prosecuted federally, 32 will be prosecuted by the state and there are three federal fugitives.

“Our message to the community is clear, we are committed to your safety,” Washington said.

The community is safer with them off the streets, she said.

“These were individuals, who continued over a period of time to pose a danger to the safety of our communities,” Washington said.

The sweep was part of an eight-month federal investigation.

Law enforcement seized multiple firearms, bulletproof vests, heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, meth, marijuana, and ecstasy pills, Washington said.

Washington and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Chief Kerr Putney both said that all the people who were arrested during the roundup are not strangers to the law enforcement.

"They've made a career out of crime," Putney said. "Make no mistake, our community is safer today."

Washington said more people are expected to be arrested.

On Friday, Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos sat down one-on-one with Wayne Dixie, the special agent in charge of the Charlotte ATF office.

He said agents and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have teamed up to form a violent crimes task force, going undercover and gathering intelligence on the streets to stop the most dangerous criminals.

Dixie said they're focused on carjackings, gun shop burglaries, and busting criminal organizations.

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