Investigators over the past seven weeks have made over 90 felony arrests, seized dozens of firearms and confiscated thousands of dollars in suspected drugs in an initiative to crack down on Cleveland crime.
On April 15, the Cleveland Division of Police Bureau of Special Services launched the Safety, Presence, and Focus-216 (SPF-216) initiative, which will “conduct numerous proactive investigations and execute search warrants targeting violent offenders, gang activity, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking operations,” according to a press release.
In 47 days, officers made over 90 criminal arrests and discovered and recovered over 92 guns.
Investigators stated ten of those rifles had been changed or modified to function as fully automatic machine guns.
During the program, the Cleveland Division of Police SWAT Unit executed 54 search warrants, and the NICE Unit and Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force apprehended 64 fugitives wanted for major offenses like aggravated murder, felonious assault, rape, and aggravated robbery.
Furthermore, Cleveland investigators executed over 30 search warrants, discovering and seizing around $450,000 in suspected drugs. During the searches, officers discovered approximately 44 pounds of cocaine and 2 kilograms of fentanyl.
The Cleveland Division of Police Narcotics Unit looked into many deadly overdose instances, including one at a motel in the Fifth District, where two people were charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Another deadly overdose case in downtown Cleveland resulted in officers discovering approximately 1,750 grams of fentanyl, firearms, and more than $4,600 cash. Two guys were charged in the case.
“These results underscore the Division’s commitment to disrupting violent crime, targeting drug trafficking organizations and removing illegal weapons from Cleveland’s neighborhoods,” the press release stated.
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