30 arrested in drug raids - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

30 arrested in drug raids

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Jerry Gates Jerry Gates
Robert Howard Robert Howard
William Pargo William Pargo
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Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Police arrested 30 people during surprise drug raids Tuesday morning. They also found 40 children living in suspected drug houses. The children are now in protective custody.

The undercover investigation started a year ago. Investigators say they got wind of several high level drug dealers using local businesses as front to smuggle in drugs.

The warrant sweeps started early morning with simultaneous 6:00 am raids.

Law enforcement officers say it puts a major dent in the drug flow from Chicago to Indianapolis. Officers arrested 30 people who they call high level drug dealers.

Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi named suspects William Pargo, Robert Howard and Jerry Gates as suspected king pins in the drug operations.

Police confiscated about $40,000 for forfeiture and seized several properties including 26 Street Customs and Gates Auto Sales used as front companies, according to investigators.

Social workers took at least 40 children out of drug houses and placed them in state custody.

"Thirty pounds of marijuana were confiscated as well as cocaine. They are responsible for close to a million dollars in drug trafficking in the last year. Three major players named Pargo, Howard and Gates who are believed to be the masterminds of this drug conspiracy," said Brizzi.

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