Shelby Township, MI – Authorities in Macomb County say a coordinated law enforcement operation has dismantled a “sophisticated, multi-state drug trafficking network” run by three men from Shelby Township. The arrests follow a large-scale investigation involving multiple agencies and resulted in the seizure of massive quantities of drugs, firearms, vehicles, and nearly $400,000 in cash.
Major Drug Bust in Shelby Township
According to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, officers executed search warrants at four properties on November 6, including three residences and one business, all located in Shelby Township. The coordinated raids involved local, county, and federal partners and led to the arrests of Mark Gojcaj, 21, Fabio Asmar, 30, and Martino Abed, 35.
Police say the men were operating outside Michigan’s regulated cannabis market, selling large quantities of untested marijuana and THC products across state lines. The operation reportedly supplied illegal cannabis products through black-market channels to buyers beyond Michigan.
Massive Seizure of Drugs and Weapons
During the searches, authorities confiscated a staggering amount of illegal substances and property. The evidence collected included:
- 1,500 pounds of marijuana
- Hundreds of THC vape pens, edibles, and gummies
- A small amount of crack cocaine
- 16 grams of mushrooms and ketamine
- Three handguns and two AR-style rifles
- Approximately $380,000 in U.S. currency
- Five vehicles, including two Lincoln Navigators, a Cadillac Escalade, a Kia SUV, a Jeep Cherokee, and a Dodge Ram van
Officials said the investigation uncovered a well-organized operation that was trafficking marijuana products across state lines without oversight or testing.
Joint Law Enforcement Operation
The investigation was carried out by a joint task force that included the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Warren Police Department, Shelby Township Police, COMET, and the SWAT Team.
Sheriff Anthony Wickersham praised the collaboration between agencies and emphasized the importance of targeting high-level drug networks.
“Illegal drug activity threatens and endangers public safety, frequently leading to violent crimes such as armed robberies and home invasions,” said Sheriff Wickersham. “We will continue to work to eliminate these large-scale drug trafficking operations from our communities.”
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Authorities believe the network had connections extending beyond Michigan, describing it as part of a multi-state trafficking scheme that moved large quantities of marijuana and THC products without regulation or testing. Officials are continuing to investigate potential connections to other states and individuals involved.
The sheriff’s office said that the amount of cash, vehicles, and weapons seized indicates the group was running a high-profit illegal enterprise. The suspects are currently being held in custody, and prosecutors are expected to file formal charges in the coming days.
The Fight Against Drug Trafficking
Law enforcement agencies in Michigan have recently increased efforts to target black-market cannabis operations, which often bypass state safety requirements. These unregulated sales can introduce unsafe products to the market and fuel related criminal activity.
Community leaders are urging residents to purchase only from licensed dispensaries and report suspicious activity. Officials also noted that large illegal operations like this one can often fund other criminal behavior, making enforcement efforts crucial to maintaining community safety.
What do you think about law enforcement’s crackdown on illegal drug operations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
