Drugs and guns recovered in major drug bust across Milwaukee County
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) --- More than a dozen people have been charged following a major drug bust in Milwaukee County. Investigators say the case has been an ongoing investigation for more than a year.
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, authorities executed 12 search warrants across the county. 11 of those were residential and one was a business. 14 people were arrested. Approximately one kilo of cocaine, multiple ounces of fentanyl, and 12 firearms were recovered.
Officials say one of the firearms seized was modified with a switch to make it fully automatic. Officials also seized a 3D printer, often used to make guns, along with a ghost gun at one of the residences.
West Allis Chief of Police Patrick Mitchell says this big case all started with a traffic stop in West Allis back in June of 2023, where officers found drugs.
There were many details officials said they could not yet share regarding the evidence and investigation, but they did day that 19 people have been charged total.
Some of the people arrested during the search warrants have not yet been charged and some of the people charged have not yet been arrested. Officials also shared that two of the people involved in the drug trafficking investigation were killed in a Milwaukee homicide in December of 2024. Their names were Deontay Long and Rodney Walls. The ongoing drug trafficking investigation helped investigators quickly identify the suspect in those murders as Valentin Santana, who is now behind bars facing homicide charges.
Officials say those arrested and charged in this case are all part of a small drug organization, but they won't share the name of that organization at this time.
"This case is one that deals with some of the most dangerous drugs there are. Fentanyl. We know that substance use disorder has upended countless lives and caused harm in communities across the country," said Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
The following individuals have been arrested and charged in the case:
- Thomas M. Brown, 41, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Steven Gruetzmacher, 42, East Troy, Wis.
- Mohammad Mahmood, 34, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Pamela M. Malvick, 49, Germantown, Wis.
- Ladarius D. Marshall, 32, Milwaukee, Wis.
- John K. McKay Jr., 25, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Koriayon J. McKay, 22, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Joshua D. Patton, 29, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Terrion L. Pierce, 21, Wauwatosa, Wis.
- Todd L. Seidl, 47, Cudahy, Wis.
- Malik R. Taylor, 29, Milwaukee, Wis.
Officials say they are still seeking several individuals.