U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced multiple high-profile drug trafficking arrests this week as part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing crime crackdown in Washington, D.C. The arrests follow a year-long investigation into a drug trafficking ring accused of distributing PCP and fentanyl near the 2900 block of Knox Place SE. On Tuesday, the FBI executed about 20 residential search warrants across D.C., Maryland, and Los Angeles.
Agents seized 18 firearms—including assault-style weapons—a pill press, over two kilograms of suspected drugs, and more than $50,000 in cash. Eight individuals have been indicted, with seven already in custody. One remains at large and is considered a fugitive. Prosecutors allege the D.C.-based group sourced drugs from California through a Baltimore co-conspirator. One intercepted shipment included 17 gallons of PCP, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Pirro was joined by officials from the FBI, DEA, and the Metropolitan Police Department in announcing the charges. The Knox Place neighborhood, where the ring allegedly operated, has experienced a spike in violent crime, including five homicides in the past year, further intensifying the focus on criminal networks in the area.
In a separate policy shift, Pirro announced her office will no longer prosecute individuals for possessing rifles or shotguns unless the case involves violent crimes or the individual is barred from gun ownership due to a criminal history. The change follows recent Supreme Court rulings and DOJ guidance. The new policy also applies to large-capacity magazines but excludes handguns.
The crackdown comes as President Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., deploying federal agents and National Guard troops to assist local authorities. Since the initiative began, 76 firearms have been seized. Pirro emphasized that her office remains committed to fighting violent crime while respecting constitutional rights.
