Kaul announces arrest of six for trafficking over 11 lbs. of fentanyl
By Patrick Lynn
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) today announced the arrest of six individuals for their participation in coordinating over five kilograms — which totals just over 11 pounds — in fentanyl shipments from Arizona to Madison through the United States Postal Service.
At the time of the arrest, six firearms were seized, including one modified to be fully automatic, according to a news release from Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, which includes Wisconsin, said distributing narcotics by mail harms communities and puts postal workers at risk.
“We want the public to know that U.S. Postal Inspectors will aggressively pursue anyone who attempts to use the Postal Service for criminal activity,” she said.
Law enforcement arrested the following individuals on Monday, March 20, 2023: Lloyd McKire-Bennett, 27; Dejon Glover, 21; Christopher Wilson, 46; Deshawn Davis, 27; and John Maser, 34, all of Madison, and Yoshi Walker, 25, of Minneapolis, Minn.
All six individuals listed above are facing federal drug trafficking charges. Warrants have been issued for two other individuals in connection to this case.
As in any criminal proceeding, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
John G. McGarry, Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge for Drug Enforcement Administration-Milwaukee District Office, said in the news release that the trafficking of over five kilograms of fentanyl into Wisconsin is “troubling.”
“Especially when only two milligrams, equivalent to just a few grains of salt, is a potentially lethal dose,” he said.
The investigation was worked cooperatively with DCI, United States Postal Inspection Services, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, and the Madison Police Department. This case will be prosecuted in the Western District of Wisconsin.
