CENTRALIA, IL — Early-morning police raids in Centralia resulted in multiple arrests stemming from an on-going drug trafficking investigation inside the City of Centralia.

According to Centralia Police Department Chief Greg Dodson, around 6a.m. Thursday, a conjunction effort with the FBI Drug Task Force, executed two coordinated search warrants at separate locations in Centralia. The St. Louis FBI SWAT Team executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 400 Block of North Locust Street; while the Springfield FBI SWAT team executed a search warrant in the 600 block of Rasback Street. During their searches large quantities of drugs, cash, as well as multiple firearms were located.

A 52-year-old Centralia man, Charles McGee was taken into custody at the Locust Street address; 59-year-old Fredrick Webster, and 66-year-old Calvin McGee, both from Centralia, were taken into custody from the Rasback address. All three men were detained and will be arraigned in federal court on charges stemming from the warrant by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois in East St Louis.

(Charles McGee)

(Webster)

(Calvin McGee)

This operation was the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the FBI and local Law Enforcement Investigators assigned to the Federal Drug Task Force. This operation involved Agents from the Springfield & Fairview Heights FBI office, Officers from the Carlyle Police Department, Clinton County and Marion County sheriff’s departments, and the Centralia Police Department.

Dodson says these types of operations are an example of local law enforcement, working in partnership with federal agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat the drug problems in their area.

Several other subjects were detained and questioned and could face future charges. Further information regarding the exact charges or other details of the operation will be made by the US Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois at a future date.