UPDATE: Officers say one suspect remains on the run. They're searching for Jody Wegener. She's charged with conspiracy to deliver heroin.
Investigators say this bust has made a huge dent in the heroin supply in the area. They hope it will lead to fewer overdose deaths and drug crimes.
"When people become addicted to this drug, they very rapidly lose their means of income. They lose their job, and they'll start stealing from whoever they can to support their habit," said Brad Dunlap with the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Investigators say the heroin found in Fond du Lac County came from Chicago. They hope these arrests serve as a warning.
"To send a message to the dealer at every level, whether it's the street level dealer, all the way up to the person who's importing the drug to the community that we're watching, and we're right around the corner," Dunlap said.
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Nine individuals are in custody with 10 individuals charged in Fond du Lac County with various drug related offenses, including allegations of conspiracy to deliver heroin in excess of 50 grams, within Fond du Lac County and Winnebago County. These allegations state that about 7,000 grams (15.4 pounds) of heroin, with a street value of more than $1 million were distributed between March 2015 and February 2017.
A joint investigation and prosecution of this alleged heroin distribution occurred over the previous year involving the City of Fond du Lac Police Department, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fond du Lac District Attorney’s Office.
This investigation began after the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop that resulted in the seizure of more than 100 grams of heroin. The subsequent investigation, which led to numerous additional arrests and the seizure of drugs and money, was turned over to the MEG Unit and City of Fond du Lac Police Department. Throughout this investigation, more than 150 grams of heroin, 7 grams of crack cocaine, firearms, and thousands of dollars in cash were seized.
Heroin is often sold to users in .1 gram bindle increments, at a cost of $20 to $40. The heroin seized throughout this investigation represents approximately 1,500 bindles and has a street value of $30,000 to $60,000.
A press conference will be held at City/County Building Legislative Chambers in Fond du Lac County at 2:30 p.m. today to announce the details of the arrest, seek assistance from public in providing additional information to assist the investigation. NBC26 will have a crew there and will update this story.
