SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) — This past Thursday April 29 several area residents were awakened in their neighborhoods by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and other law enforcement agencies who assisted in raids where multiple individuals were arrested on Federal charges related to drug distribution in Danville.

Officers from the Danville Police Department, the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police assisted in making arrests, executing search warrants where methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, various firearms as well as U.S. currency was seized.

“Uprooting large scale drug operations and the violence they bring is a top priority for the FBI. Ensuring the safety of our communities, no matter how small, is at the heart of our mission. These arrests are a direct response to the concerns we’ve heard from local residents and represent a coordinated effort to disrupt the flow of dangerous substances and illegal weapons into Central Illinois. We want you to be able to walk freely through your towns without fear, and together with our partners, we will achieve that goal,” said FBI SAC Ryan Presley, in a statement.

Facebook has seen many posts concerning the raids that occurred over different parts of town in the last few days, with most people favoring support for law enforcement for doing their part in helping make Danville safer.

Arrests were spearheaded by the FBI Eastern Illinois, TOC-West Task Force and the Eastern Illinois Safe Streets Task Force. Task Forces are composed of federal, state and local law enforcement officers dedicated to dismantling violent criminal networks and safeguarding the communities they serve.

The FBI would like to remind the public that, under State law, a defendant is presumed innocent of charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.