By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Friday, US Attorney George L. Beck announced that the US Marshals Service and Montgomery Police Department have since June been coordinating a multi-agency effort to reduce violent crime and take dangerous offenders and illegal weapons off the streets of Montgomery in an effort that was named “Operation Triple Beam.” A number of people are expected to be indicted for federal weapons charges stemming from the illegal firearms cases.
US Attorney Beck said, “I would like to praise the efforts of the US Marshals Service for coordinating this initiative to take trigger pullers off the streets of Montgomery. Guns and drugs are a lethal combination and our office will prosecute all federal cases arising in our District from Operation Triple Beam. Thanks also to all the law enforcement agencies that worked with the US Marshals in this important initiative.”
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier said, “The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is committed to using our resources to combat violent crimes in Alabama. Over the past several months, our State Trooper Felony Apprehension Patrol Unit, State Bureau of Investigation Narcotics Agents, Aviation Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Unit Agents, and our Fusion Center Intelligence Analysts assisted in Operation Triple Beam. I appreciate the continued support and strategic partnerships with our federal, State and local partners as we confront this problem and work towards alleviating violent crime and distribution of illegal drugs in our State.”
Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley said, “We know that collaboration is essential to effectively fighting crime and building safer neighborhoods. Through Operation Triple Beam, we have realized the benefits of that collaboration within the law enforcement community. I want to thank the US Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners at every level, who share our commitment to the public’s safety and who have committed their expertise, their energy and their resources to removing violent repeat offenders from the streets of Montgomery.”
The head of the US Marshals Investigative Operations Division, Assistant Director Derrick Driscoll said, “The results of this operation demonstrate the power of teamwork. When members of law enforcement, federal, state and local, come together as a force multiplier, it proves to be an effective tool in combating violent crime. With Operation Triple Beam, the US Marshals and our law enforcement partners are committed to making our communities safer.”
Operation Triple Beam targeted violent criminal elements through intelligence gathering and proactive investigations that resulted in substantial results. Authorities seized 49 illegal firearms, approximately $22,000 in U.S. currency, and $29,000 worth of illegal drugs including: cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and illegal prescription medications. In total, 114 individuals were arrested and charged with felony offenses as a result of Operation Triple Beam. During the operation 223 sex offender compliance checks were also conducted in Montgomery.
More than 75 law enforcement officers participated in the effort. These included: the US Marshals Service, Montgomery Police Department, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
