WEST ALLIS, Wis. (WFRV) – Multiple agencies in Wisconsin announced on Wednesday that 14 people were arrested for participating in a large drug trafficking operation in the Milwaukee area.
According to a post from the West Allis Police Department, a 60-count criminal complaint was issued in Milwaukee County which charges 19 people with manufacturing and delivering fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
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The complaint also included the following charges:
- 2nd Degree reckless endangerment
- Firearm possession by a felon
- Conspiracy to deliver cocaine and fentanyl
- Bail Jumping
- Narcotics possession
- Maintaining a Drug Trafficking Place.
Early in the morning on Wednesday, 11 residential search warrants and a business search warrant were executed in the following cities:
- Milwaukee
- Wauwatosa
- Cudahy
- Brown Deer
As a result of these search warrants, 14 arrests were made along with the recovery of a kilogram of cocaine, several ounces of fentanyl and 12 guns. One of the guns was modified to create a fully automatic weapon. A 3D printer was located in one of the residences with a ‘ghost gun.’
West Allis Police Department
West Allis Police Department
West Allis Police Department
The investigation also revealed that two people involved in the drug trafficking ring were killed via homicide on December 23, 2024. The homicide suspect was identified as Valentin Santana who was located around 100th and Oklahoma Avenue near Milwaukee shortly after.
Officers from the Milwaukee Police Department tried to pull him over; however, Santana allegedly fled and led them on a 9-mile chase before he was apprehended after a crash and short foot pursuit.
Santana is charged in a separate complaint from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office on two counts of 1st-degree reckless homicide including conspiracy to deliver cocaine from this investigation.
West Allis’ Police Chief commended the departments involved, adding that they will continue to hold people accountable for drug trafficking.
“The law enforcement officers of the West Allis Police Department are committed to vigorously investigating individuals who engage in drug trafficking to hold them accountable for their destructive actions in our community,” West Allis Police Chief Patrick Mitchell said via the release.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney added to the statements as well, mentioning the efforts of the West Allis Police Department and the many agencies that played a key role.
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“I want to thank the West Allis Police Department for its commitment to leading this multi-jurisdictional investigation into significant drug trafficking within Milwaukee County.” Milwaukee County District Attorney Kent Lovern said in the release.
The following individuals are among the arrests made on Wednesday as well as the people who have been charged thus far:
- 41-year-old Thomas M. Brown of Milwaukee
- 42-year-old Steven Gruetzmacher of East Troy
- 34-year-old Mohammad Mahmood of Milwaukee
- 49-year-old Pamela M. Malvick of Germantown
- 32-year-old Ladarius D. Marshall of Milwaukee
- 25-year-old John K. McKay Jr. of Milwaukee
- 22-year-old Koriayon J. McKay of Milwaukee
- 29-year-old Joshua D. Patton of Milwaukee
- 21-year-old Terrion L. Pierce of Wauwatosa
- 47-year-old Todd L. Seidl of Cudahy
- 29-year-old Malik R. Taylor of Milwaukee
Multiple others who were arrested have not yet been charged, and police are still looking for numerous others who may be involved with this drug ring.
The West Allis Police Department investigated along with the following agencies:
- Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation
- Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office
- Milwaukee Police Department
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration
- North-Central High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program
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In addition, these agencies assisted in search warrant executions and arrests: warrant and arrest –
- South Shore SWAT
- St. Francis Police Department
- Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office
- United States Marshal’s Service
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Department of Homeland Security
- Germantown Police Department
- Wisconsin State Patrol
No more details were provided.
