Akron, Ohio – Federal authorities have unsealed 17 indictments charging over 30 individuals with various firearms and drug-related offenses in Akron. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, the charges stem from a large-scale, 60-day law enforcement operation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with support from multiple federal, state, and local agencies.
Another 10 individuals will face state charges in connection with the investigation. Officials confirmed that all federal arrests were carried out by the morning of the announcement, with the exception of one defendant who remains at large.
The operation concentrated on Akron’s most violent neighborhoods and resulted in the seizure of an extensive cache of illegal weapons and narcotics. Law enforcement recovered 32 pistols, one revolver, six rifles, two suppressors, and one machinegun conversion device. Authorities also confiscated significant amounts of illegal drugs, including 417.6 grams of powdered cocaine, 376 grams of crack cocaine, 94 grams of heroin, 4,663.4 grams of methamphetamine, 443.5 grams of marijuana, and 134.6 grams of fentanyl.
New Crime Gun Intelligence Center Opens in Akron
The announcement of the indictments coincided with the launch of the Akron Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC), a new facility designed to help authorities identify and apprehend violent offenders more efficiently. According to officials, the CGIC will serve as a hub for intelligence sharing and investigative support across federal, state, and local agencies. “CGICs use cutting-edge forensic science and evidence to support the investigation and prosecution of violent criminals,” authorities stated…