Major strike force announced to fight drug trade in SE Michigan

DETROIT (WJBK) - An average of seven people a day died from drug overdoses in Michigan in 2017 according to the DEA.

It is a problem so big, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced the formation of a major strike force designed to go after drug trafficking organizations fueling the opioid epidemic in southeast Michigan.

"(The goal is) to battle and defeat drug traffickers and gang related violence and to protect this community from violent criminal predators," said Matthew Schneider, U.S. Attorney.

Law enforcement on all levels - federal, state and local in the U.S. and in Canada, dozens of agencies part of the newly formed organized crime drug enforcement task force.

All of them are working together to target, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations. The U.S. Attorney's Office says there are more than 140 gangs in southeast Michigan that are associated with illegal drug activity

"The influx of these drugs are fueling other illegal activity such as human trafficking, carjackings and other gang related activities," said Timothy Slater, special agent in charge, FBI.

The strike force is also going after international suppliers, including China. 

The effort is part of a renewed commitment in the war on drugs in south east Michigan and abroad.