Cedar Rapids Drug Task Force Recognized for major meth investigation
Contact: Peter Deegan
A major methamphetamine investigation in eastern Iowa received the 2009 “Outstanding Investigative Effort Award” from the Kansas City, Missouri, office of the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program at an award presentation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, today. The award was presented to the DEA Cedar Rapids HIDTA Task Force and law enforcement agents and employees working on a case dubbed “Operation Cold Trail.”
The investigation began with the seizure by the Waterloo Tri-County Task Force of 15 pounds of high-grade methamphetamine. Wiretaps and other investigative techniques have led to the conviction of 13 defendants so far and the seizure of 30 pounds of methamphetamine and $500,000 in cash and property. The methamphetamine conspiracy was responsible for distributing an estimated 300 to 500 pounds of methamphetamine in Waterloo, Iowa, between 2004 and 2009.
“These awards recognize the selfless devotion shown by all those involved to work together to fight the meth problem in Iowa,” said United States Attorney Stephanie M. Rose. “The people protecting our communities work long hours, day and night, weekday and weekend, with no expectation of reward other than the satisfaction of a job well done. My congratulations and heartfelt appreciation go out to those recognized today and all those who are on the front lines fighting illegal drug dealing every day.”
In addition to the Cedar Rapids HIDTA Task Force, 25 individuals received commendations for their work on the investigation. They were from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa; Drug Enforcement Administration in Cedar Rapids and St. Louis; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; Waterloo Police Department; Cedar Falls Police Department; Iowa National Guard; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation; Iowa Department of Correctional Services; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and Oelwein Police Department.
Midwest HIDTA is a multi-agency coalition consisting of federal, state, and local agencies from six states. Midwest HIDTA works to reduce illegal drug availability by creating and supporting enforcement task forces aimed at eliminating domestic drug trafficking and its harmful consequences through enhancing and helping to coordinate drug trafficking control efforts among federal, state, and local enforcement agencies.
