WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday met with Iowa law enforcement professionals who are being recognized at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s (ATF) 27th Annual Law Enforcement Award Ceremony. The group is being honored for their valiant long-term investigation into a violent criminal street gang in the Des Moines metropolitan area. Their work resulted in one of the largest search warrant and arrest efforts in Iowa history.
This enforcement action, and the subsequent removal of violent and influential drug distributors resulted in the seizure of more than 700 items of evidence and the arrest of 26 gang members.In 2021, the Southern District of Iowa ranked 3rd nationally for the number of career offenders sentenced within a county.
“When violent thugs attempt to wreak havoc in our communities, we depend on the outstanding work of our law enforcement officers to maintain order. Thanks to these courageous Iowans’ teamwork, violent criminals were taken off our streets and Iowa was made a safer place. Their selfless dedication to justice and public safety is something all Iowans can be proud of and grateful for. I commend the ATF for recognizing their efforts and thank these Iowa law enforcement officers for their service,” Grassley said.
The ATF Law Enforcement Awards recognize the exceptional collaboration, investigative achievement, victim service and intelligence gathering of federal agents, state and local officers. The 2023 ceremony will be held tonight, September 19, 2023, at the ATF National Headquarters in Washington.
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