Huge drug bust on Rutherford

The Detroit Police Department, along with agents from the several different state and federal agencies, announced a series of indictments that will bring to justice members of a violent, armed drug gang members that operated on Rutherford Street. This investigation is the result of an on-going partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement, which is commonly known as Detroit One.

The indictment unsealed today charges three brothers, Mohamed, Abed, and Fouad Faraj, with distributing marijuana and prescription pills on the 6800 block of Rutherford Street and the greater Warrendale neighborhood in the city of Detroit. The criminal enterprise led by the Faraj brothers employed numerous teenagers and young men to act as their street level distributors. These young workers regularly had access to firearms supplied by the leaders and used arson as a tactic to create stash houses and to further the enterprise’s narcotics distribution activities.

Among those charged today are:

• Mohamed Faraj, 29, of Dearborn Heights, charged with continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking, and use a telecommunications device in furtherance of narcotics trafficking;
• Abed Faraj, 38, of Detroit, charged with continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking;
• Fouad Faraj, 43, of Dearborn Heights, charged with continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking;
• Mohammed Abdul Alhakami, 22, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking;
• Ali Al-Hisnawi, 20, of Detroit, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and
• Adnan Bazzi, 28, of Dearborn, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking, and felon in possession of a firearm.

“Detroit One is bringing a unified focus to arresting violent offenders in Detroit," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade explained in a statement. "Dismantling violent drug gangs will help restore peace in our neighborhoods."

“We know that illegal narcotics and firearms are a major threat to the safety of our citizens and to law enforcement officers,” added Acting Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. “Today’s operations and arrest warrants highlight ATF’s and our law enforcement partners’ effort to remove armed violent drug dealers from our streets. We are committed to reducing violent crime and this case emphasizes a repetitive problem of illegal narcotics traffickers willing to use and carry firearms to protect their drug proceeds.”

“This is the perfect example of law enforcement teamwork,” said Chief James E. Craig. “Working with our local, state, federal law enforcement agencies has and will continue to enhance our crime-fighting efforts in providing a safe environment for visitors and residents of the city of Detroit.”

Detroit One is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and the community to reduce homicide and other violent crime in Detroit. By working cooperatively, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are maximizing their ability to identify and arrest the individuals and groups committing violent crime.

In this case, investigators were able to share information and resources to identify the leaders and key members of this organization, leading to charges against six individuals in federal court. The case was initiated by the Comprehensive Violence Reduction Partnership, consisting of representatives of the Detroit Police Department, Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Corrections, and ATF and assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service.

Update @ 7:14 p.m. I was interviewed about this story by WXYZ-TV this evening and gave background information about narcotics trafficking in Warrendale. More