By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Federal authorities in St. Louis say they've shut down a major cocaine trafficking ring operating from the suburb of Wellston.
Narcotics officers raided several homes there Monday night and Tuesday morning.
A federal grand jury has indicted 30 people in the case. Twenty of those are in custody.
U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway says one suspect allegedly plotted to kill informants.
There was also a murder attempt, possibly three murders thwarted by finding out that one of the individuals who's been arrested was plotting a murder for hire of as many as three different individuals, Hanaway said.
Hanaway also says a Berkeley police dispatcher warned other suspects of police surveillance.
St. Louis city and county drug agents conducted the investigation along with the DEA.
However, the Wellston police was NOT told of the case until today. Federal authorities say the department is small and does not have narcotics officers.