Fentanyl and meth confiscated in Brown County as a result of a large-scale investigation. (Photo courtesy Brown County Sheriff's Office)
BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Seven people have been arrested in what Brown County authorities call the dismantling of a “large-scale drug trafficking organization.”
Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain said the Brown County Drug Task Force along with several police agencies across Northeast Wisconsin including the FBI and DEA, spent six months on the investigation.
Delain said officials were able to identify the organization’s pickup location, which was a drug stash house in Chicago.
Five search warrants were executed in Brown County earlier this month. A simultaneous search of the stash house in Chicago yielded 12 kilos of fentanyl, four kilos of cocaine, 748 grams of meth, 460 grams of heroin, 16 guns, and some marijuana.
“This investigation is significant and impactful for residents of Brown County and citizens of Northeast Wisconsin,” said Delain. “In 2023, Brown County had 60 accidental and illicit drug overdose deaths of which approximately 80% were linked to fentanyl.”
Delain was asked if any of those deaths were related to or a result of this organization.
“Without doubt, this group was responsible for part of that,” he replied.
Those arrested were identified as Cheri Austin, Felton Currie, Ebony Grandberry, James Grandberry, Michael Oliver, Kyla Sanache and Jessica Wright. Formal charges have not been filed yet, although authorities said all suspects have appeared on court and had high bonds set.
“It is believed that this drug trafficking organization was the largest distributor of fentanyl in Brown County,” Sheriff Todd Delain said.
“The nation is experiencing an epidemic of problems related to illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, and this is a huge amount of fentanyl seized in this case,” said Green Bay Police Chief Chris Davis. “This is just another example of that problem that all communities face.”
Delain said more arrests are anticipated.
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