23 suspects identified, including teen, in Williamson County drug, firearms trafficking raid

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (Heartland News) - The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office identified 23 people, including a 16-year-old, in a drug and firearms trafficking raid on Friday morning, November 6.

The raid followed a 10-month investigation involving surveillance, intelligence gathering and dozens of controlled purchases of meth, other drugs and firearms, including weapons trafficked by convicted felons.

Starting at 4:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office deployed its Special Response Team to execute seven search warrants along with 15 arrest warrants stemming from the investigation.

Officials executed search warrants at six locations in Herrin, Illinois, and one in Energy, Ill.

Authorities said they recovered meth, other controlled substances and weapons during the raid.

The sheriff’s office is also pursuing asset forfeiture proceedings involving a pickup truck they say was used to help traffic drugs.

The raid led to criminal prosecution efforts against all 23 people.