Operation North Star busts 3,400 violent offenders in 5-month phase

Karah Rucker

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REVEALED FRIDAY MORE THAN 3,400 FUGITIVES HAVE BEEN APPREHENDED AS PART OF A SIGNIFICANT ENFORCEMENT OPERATION KNOWN AS OPERATION NORTH STAR.

BETWEEN MAY 10 AND SEPTEMBER 13, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CONCENTRATED THEIR EFFORTS IN TEN MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS, INCLUDING DALLAS, PHOENIX, AND ST. LOUIS, TARGETING VIOLENT OFFENDERS –

THOSE WANTED FOR SERIOUS CRIMES SUCH AS HOMICIDE, SEXUAL OFFENSES, ROBBERY, AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.

 THROUGHOUT THE INITIATIVE, AUTHORITIES ALSO CONFISCATED 534 FIREARMS, SEIZED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH, AND RECOVERED MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND POUNDS OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, WHICH INCLUDED MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PILLS PILLS OF FENTANYL.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND REMINDING PEOPLE DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY – THAT EACH OPERATION COMES WITH RISK – DETAILING THE DEATHS OF SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS CONDUCTING THESE STINGS TO COMBAT CRIME ACROSS AMERICA.

“We are reminded of the enormous risks that deputy us marshals and their partners experience every day. We are also reminded of the courage of the people who do this work and their loved ones. We could not be more grateful for their sacrifices.”

SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN JULY 2022, THE OPERATION NORTH STAR INITIATIVES HAVE LED TO THE CAPTURE OF OVER 10 THOUSAND  WANTED FUGITIVES ACROSS 30 CITIES, INCLUDING 11 HUNDRED INDIVIDUALS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, AS WELL AS THE REMOVAL OF MORE THAN 14 HUNDRED WEAPONS LINKED TO VIOLENT CRIMES.

THE DOJ ALSO UNSEALED CHARGES AGAINST THREE IRANIAN NATIONALS AT THE PRESSER –

ACCUSING THEM OF ATTEMPTING TO INTERFERE IN THE U.S. 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. 

THE HACKERS, LINKED TO IRAN’S GOVERNMENT, ALLEGEDLY CARRIED OUT A CYBER CAMPAIGN TO UNDERMINE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S RE-ELECTION BID. 

THIS INCLUDED STEALING PRIVATE INFORMATION FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND USING IT IN EMAILS SENT TO THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN AND U.S. MEDIA OUTLETS.

ACCORDING TO U.S. INTELLIGENCE, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYONE IN THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN REPLIED TO THESE EMAILS. 

HOWEVER, GARLAND UNDERSCORED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE THREAT.

“As we approach the upcoming election, I want to reiterate, the doj will not tolerate attempts by iran or any foreign power to interfere in our elections and undermine our democracy.”

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