News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2004

DEA Leads Largest Drug Sweep in Cincinnati History

ASAC Gary Oetjen

Cincinnati, Ohio- On October 14, 2004, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and members of thirteen (13) federal, state and local law enforcement agencies swept through the Evanston and Walnut Hills areas of Cincinnati as part of the largest single drug sweep in Cincinnati history. A press conference was held at the United States Attorney’s Office detailing the early morning round-up results. At 4:00am, over 150 federal agents and local police officers executed fourteen (14) federal search warrants and sought thirty-five (35) local residents on federal drug charges.

This investigation was conducted by the DEA Cincinnati Drug Task Force and the Cincinnati Police Department Street Corner Narcotics Enforcement Unit. After the seven month investigation was completed, Kenneth Richardson, 26 years old and Donyell Reeves, 26 years old were both federally charged with running independent crack cocaine empires in the Evanston and Walnut hills neighborhoods of Cincinnati. Neighborhood leaders and citizens had asked the Cincinnati Police and the DEA for assistance with the escalating crack cocaine trade and associated violence from these organizations.

The Walnut Hills and Evanston areas have suffered a disproportionate amount of homicides, shootings, robberies and assaults in recent times, much of which is believed to be related to the local drug trade.

“This investigation has identified and dismantled a violent drug distribution organization which intimidated and preyed upon the people of Cincinnati. Our partnerships with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have had a significant local impact on these neighborhoods most affected,” said John P. Gilbride, DEA Special Agent in Charge for the Detroit Field Division.

Additional agencies that participated in this investigation include: Norwood Police Department, Florence Police Department, Sharonville Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, Kenton County Sheriffs Department, Covington Police Department, Boone County Sheriffs Department, Westchester Police Department, Drug Abuse Resistance Taskforce (DART), St. Bernard Police Department, Hamilton County Police Association SWAT Team, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service.