DEA Detroit Assists Hamburg TWP Police In Large Local Impact Investigation
- Increase in heroin overdose deaths led to multi-jurisdictional investigation with 50 arrests

OCT 14 -- (Hamburg Township, MI) – In February 2009, Hamburg Township Police investigated the second heroin-related death in less than three months at the same home. These deaths, combined with numerous other deaths in Livingston County from heroin drug overdoses prompted local police agencies to partner with the U.S Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET) in a seven-month undercover investigation into drug trafficking.

DEA SAC Corso discusses the heroin abuse issue with the local media in Hamburg Township, Michigan.	After the press conference, SAC Corso conducted a series of one on one interviews with Detroit television affiliates regarding current heroin abuse trends in Michigan.

The results of this joint effort so far have resulted in approximately 50 arrests of street-level suppliers to widespread distributors of heroin, cocaine, and other illicit drugs. Undercover officers used confidential sources to track the flow of drugs from Detroit to Livingston County.

“This investigation is a prime example of how federal and local law enforcement agencies work together to combat the flow of illegal drugs in America,” said Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, of the DEA’s Detroit Field Division.

“We knew who some of the users were but we needed to identify the suppliers,” said Hamburg Township Police Chief Steve Luciano. “This investigation will have a positive impact on our local community. We’re sending the message that if you’re going to bring drugs into Livingston County, we’re going to hunt you down and arrest you.”