INDIANAPOLIS -- 26 offenders and drug dealers were arrested Saturday in what's being called the largest operation in IMPD history.
More than 150 federal, state and local officers targeted homes in north, east and northwest Indianapolis.
Police say the neighborhoods were chosen based on narcotics-related homicides, aggravated assaults, crime reports and other criminal activity.
Chief Troy Riggs says "Operation First Step" had two goals. One was removing criminals from the streets and the other was gathering information to build cases.
"But, we aren't stopping here. This is just the first of many such operations geared toward reducing the instances of violent crime by addressing contributing factors," said Chief Riggs.
In addition to the arrests, 13 grams of heroin, 8.5 grams of cocaine and marijuana, four guns, $3,500 in cash and three cars were seized.
Other highlights of "Operation First Step":
- One of the men arrested on a narcotics warrant had a $1 million bond
- A grow operation was found
- 92 bottles of gin, 23 bottles of vodka, and 182 cans of beer were found at a bootlegging operation
The operation also included members of the clergy and services for those in need.