More than $2.5M in heroin, guns, Maserati seized in DC drug bust

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - D.C. police say a long-running undercover operation has disrupted a huge drug ring in Northeast D.C.

According to police, they've seized more than $2.5 million in heroin, the largest haul on record in the D.C. Metropolitan area.

Police have arrested Linwood Thorne in connection with the investigation, along with Omar Elbakkoush.

"The second suspect was not at home in Northeast during the search, however the following items were seized: As the Mayor mentioned, over 40 kilos of heroin, over 40 pounds of marijuana, six semi-automatic handguns, one Maserati vehicle - assets for civil forfeiture, a drug press and mixing agents for fixing heroin for street sale," said Chief Peter Newsham.

Newsham says the heroin that was seized was laced with Fentanyl - a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

When cut for street sales, Newsham says the cache of drugs would be worth far more than $2.5 million.

The origin of the drugs is unclear.

A second man arrested in connection with the case was charged with selling large quantities of marijuana and heroin, along with numerous semi-automatic pistols and rifles, including an AR-15 assault rifle.

Newsham hopes disrupting the huge supply line will help lead to a decline in homicides and crime rates in the city.

"What people have to keep in mind is we had a guy that was coming into our city and selling illegal firearms and illegal firearms is right at the root of the problem here in the district so I am convinced when you have a seizure of this size and they are protecting their operation with illegal firearms this is a positive impact. It's a great seizure. Great work by the law enforcement agencies involved," he said.