State police arrest 25 in ‘violent crime’ crackdown in East St. Louis area

State troopers arrested 25 people in a “violent crime suppression” operation in the East St. Louis area in the past couple of years.

Along with the arrests, troopers seized 13 guns in the crackdown conducted Nov. 18-19, according to an Illinois State Police news release.

Since June 2023, 670 arrests have been made and 314 firearms have been seized in the metro-east during 21 total operations, according to a Belleville News-Democrat review of state police announcements.

A state police news release included information about three of the latest cases in East St. Louis:

• A gun and suspected cannabis were seized during a traffic stop on Nov. 18 at 25th Street and St. Clair Avenue. Charges are pending against the driver and passenger.

• During a traffic stop on Nov. 18 at 33rd Street and St. Clair Avenue, troopers seized a firearm and suspected cannabis. Charges are pending against the driver.

• A gun, a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and suspected cannabis were seized during a traffic stop at 12th Street and Gaty Avenue on Nov. 19. Charges are pending against the driver and the passenger.

Illinois State Police officers from around the state assisted Collinsville-based Troop 8. The Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southern Illinois also provided additional support.