Heroin and Cocaine Ring Leader Arrested in Operation Smooth Criminal
Indianapolis, IN – In a major blow to heroin and cocaine traffickers, the Southern District of Indiana was recently recognized with the 2018 Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) National Award for Innovative Investigation Efforts for the multi-agency investigative work conducted during "Operation Smooth Criminal." This prestigious national award most exemplifies the mission and spirit of the OCDETF Program and recognizes the many agencies within the Southern District of Indiana involved in "Operation Smooth Criminal."
Recognized for their contribution to this successful investigation were investigators Louis Arona, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), DeMarkus Calhoun, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Seth Murray, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS – CI), and Assistant United States Attorneys Cindy J. Cho and MaryAnn T. Mindrum.
"The false sense of anonymity provided by the Dark Web and the subterfuge practiced by the suspects in this case was no match for the combined efforts of federal law enforcement," said Patricia Armstrong, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Division. "The investigative work that led to the distinguished national OCDETF award for Operation Smooth Criminal serves as a model for tackling these complex cases through utilizing innovation."
"Operation Smooth Criminal" was an investigation spanning over four years that ultimately dismantled a heroin and cocaine distribution ring supplying drugs regionally and throughout the country. What began as an investigation into drug trafficking on the Dark Web led to the ultimate arrest and conviction of Burnett, a/k/a "Doe," the leader of a major heroin and cocaine distribution ring in the Indianapolis area and elsewhere. In October 2013, federal law enforcement agencies shut down the Dark Web site Silk Road. Through a joint investigation by DEA, USPIS, and the IRS-CI, law enforcement learned that Lee Gray, a Camby, Indiana, resident at the time, was selling heroin and cocaine in exchange for bitcoins on Silk Road, and later other Dark Web sites such as Black Bank. Gray shipped the drugs to customers located throughout the United States using the U.S. mail. Gray then laundered his bitcoins using foreign bitcoin-exchange companies to wire U.S. currency into multiple bank accounts.
Lee Gray, the defendant, was involved in a heroin and cocaine distribution ring supplying drugs regionally and throughout the country. Gray sold heroin and cocaine in exchange for bitcoins on Silk Road and other Dark Web sites. He then laundered his bitcoins using foreign bitcoin-exchange companies to wire U.S. currency into multiple bank accounts.
The total amount of heroin and cocaine sold by Gray is not specified in the source, but he was involved in a major heroin and cocaine distribution ring in the Indianapolis area and elsewhere.
The exact date of the crime is not specified in the source, but the investigation spanned over four years, from 2013 to 2017. Gray was involved in the distribution of heroin and cocaine in exchange for bitcoins on Silk Road and other Dark Web sites.
The sentence or outcome for Lee Gray is not specified in the source. It is unclear whether Gray was convicted or is currently facing charges.
Lee Gray, a Camby, Indiana, resident at the time, was selling heroin and cocaine in exchange for bitcoins on Silk Road, and later other Dark Web sites such as Black Bank.
Gray shipped the drugs to customers located throughout the United States using the U.S. mail, and then laundered his bitcoins using foreign bitcoin-exchange companies to wire U.S. currency into multiple bank accounts.
The investigation into Gray’s activities was a joint effort by DEA, USPIS, and the IRS-CI. Gray was involved in a heroin and cocaine distribution ring supplying drugs regionally and throughout the country.
Key Facts
- State: Indiana
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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