WP has learned of four criminal gangs dismantled on the US East Coast

Maryland law enforcement officials announced the elimination of four criminal organizations involved in arms and drug trafficking in the Baltimore agglomeration. This was reported by The Washington Post (WP) on November 26.

Nearly 40 people were prosecuted during Operation Tornado Alley, and dozens of illegal weapons, 15 stolen vehicles and a large stash of drugs and money were uncovered through the combined efforts of more than a dozen local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Officials said additional arrests and indictments are expected as the remaining suspects are at large.

The four criminal organizations operated primarily in southwest Baltimore, dealing drugs. Operation Tornado Alley began as an investigation by the Baltimore Police Department as part of the city's Gang Violence Reduction Strategy, which combines targeted law enforcement investigations and city-sponsored intervention resources to target those most likely to be involved in violence.

The bulk of the arrests occurred on Nov. 19, when Baltimore police conducted 16 searches in the middle of the night. The operation involved local law enforcement, Maryland State Police, Baltimore City firefighters and animal control officers, as well as the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI.

The Baltimore City prosecutor said large amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, cannabis and more than $373,000 in what police believe to be drug proceeds were seized. Authorities also said they seized 15 stolen vehicles and 65 firearms.

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Earlier, November 23, Stanislav Ruzhitsky, accused of organizing drug trafficking, was extradited from Venezuela to Russia. As specified by the official representative of the Russian Interior Ministry Irina Volk, Ruzhitsky was detained by Venezuelan law enforcement authorities after the Interpol channels managed to track his cross-border movements.

On November 6, Spanish law enforcement agencies seized 13 tons of cocaine, which is the largest seized batch in the country's history. According to the press service of the kingdom's police, this shipment was the second largest in all of Europe. According to the agency, the drugs were transported in a container with bananas, which arrived from Ecuador.