The Illinois State Police say a multi-agency enforcement effort in central Illinois led to dozens of arrests and the seizure of firearms and drugs during a six-day operation earlier this month.
ISP says the enforcement detail was conducted May 4th through the 9th in Macon, Champaign, and Vermilion counties, targeting high-crash areas, high-crime areas, and criminal groups using interstate highways to facilitate crime.

During the operation, officers arrested 34 suspects and filed 72 criminal charges, including 28 felony charges. Police also recovered five firearms and issued seven firearm-related charges. Authorities say more than 500 grams of cannabis and 67 grams of controlled substances were seized. Troopers also completed 100 motor carrier safety inspections, issued 204 citations, and handed out 442 warnings.
Among the notable arrests, police say troopers stopped a vehicle in Macon County on May 6th for a traffic violation and recovered a stolen firearm and suspected heroin from a passenger. The passenger, identified as a convicted felon, was jailed on multiple weapons, drug, and sex offender-related charges.

In another case on May 7th, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, but the driver fled both in the vehicle and on foot. ISP Air Operations tracked the suspect, who was later taken into custody. Officers reportedly recovered two firearms along with suspected cannabis and ecstasy. The driver now faces multiple felony weapons, drug, and fleeing charges.

The operation involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including ISP patrol troops, special agents, local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and task force officers from across central Illinois. State Police say they will continue using air operations, technology, increased patrols, and inter-agency cooperation to combat violent crime.