With a vow to crack down on gun violence — in part by targeting gangs of drug dealers who are often involved in shootings — Miami leaders on Friday announced dozens of recent drug-related arrests, while also releasing plans for three gun buyback events in the coming weeks.
The arrests, which police said led to the dismantling of three criminal drug-dealing organizations, are the result of three long-term police investigations, one of which dates back to 2010. The criminal charges ranged from drug trafficking to criminal conspiracy to, in one case, attempted murder.
That attempted murder charge is against 20-year-old Jamar Jordan, who is accused of shooting his gun in a crowded Overtown park after an argument erupted. Youth football games were happening in the park at the time, and three people were wounded by stray bullets.
“We are going after all these shootings,” Miami Chief of Police Manuel Orosa told reporters at a Friday morning news conference. Orosa said the city has experienced a string of shootings in recent months, and is still trying to gather more information on some of the crimes. If members of the community can share any information they have, it will help police “put this behind us,” Orosa said.
Though Jordan was arrested in September, most of the arrests publicized Friday occurred in late December, police said.
The city’s planned gun buyback days will be Jan. 19, Jan. 26, and Feb. 2, with the events being held at local churches. Gun will be accepted on a no-questions-asked basis, with the city offering $50 gift cards for handguns and possibly higher payouts for larger assault weapons.
The gun buyback is being funded with $10,000 in donations from local businesses. By getting some of those guns off the street, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said “we will be able to at least save some lives.”
Miami police announce drug arrests, gun buybacks
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Miami police announce drug arrests, gun buybacks
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Miami police announce drug arrests, gun buybacks
