Iowa City, Cedar Rapids Businesses Nabbed In 'Largest-Ever Synthetic Drug Takedown'

The Den and In-Zone have been closed since being raided this morning as part of sweeping effort the DEA is calling the "largest-ever synthetic drug takedown."

In Cedar Rapids, YR Dollar Stop Liquor & Tobacco was also raided. 

The Drug Enforcement Agency reports 150 arrest warrant and nearly 375 search warrants were served in 35 states, 49 cities and five countries today.

From the Gazette:

A large white truck, two Iowa City Police vans and several squad cars were parked on Washington Street for much of the day Wednesday. An officer turned away customers to the Den, known for cheap fountain pop, Hawkeye gear and an upstairs area that sells smoking accessories. Agents bustled in and out with boxes as employees stood off to the side, waiting for the search to be done.

Here is from the U.S. Attorney:

On June 26, 2013, searches were conducted at two Iowa City businesses pursuant to federal search warrants. Searches were conducted at 116 E. Washington Street and 123 E. Washington Street, Iowa City. Agencies involved in these searches included the Iowa Department of Public Safety - Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa City, Iowa, Police Department, the Johnson County Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation.

No other information will be released at this time.

Here is more from the DEA:

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and its law enforcement partners today announced enforcement operations in 35 states targeting the upper echelon of dangerous designer synthetic drug trafficking organizations that have operated without regard for the law or public safety.

These series of enforcement actions included retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. In addition, these investigations have uncovered the massive flow of drug-related proceeds back to countries in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Since Project Synergy began in December of 2012, more than 75 arrests have been made and nearly $15 million in cash and assets have been seized--all leading up to today’s global takedown. Today, law enforcement executed over 150 arrest warrant and nearly 375 search warrants in 35 states, 49 cities and five countries. During the past three days prior to today, over 550 kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized in a joint operation with Customs and Border Protection aimed at international shipments of synthetic drugs at express consignment facilities. Since February, over 1,000 kilograms of synthetic drugs have been seized at express consignment facilities.

Project Synergy was coordinated by DEA’s Special Operations Division, working with the DEA Office of Diversion Control, and included cases led by DEA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), FBI, and IRS. In addition, law enforcement in Australia, Barbados, Panama, and Canada participated, as well as countless state and local law enforcement members.