KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 6,000 arrests – including hundreds for homicide – have been made as part of Operation LeGend, which originated in Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.
The effort began July 8 and was named in honor of 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was killed in June while asleep in bed. Thousands of firearms also were seized, along with the following:
- More than 32 kilos of heroin.
- More than 17 kilos of fentanyl.
- More than 300 kilos of methamphetamine.
- More than 135 kilos of cocaine.
- More than $11 million in drug and other illicit proceeds.
In Kansas City, Missouri, nearly 200 defendants have been charged on the federal level – 75 for narcotics-related offenses, 107 for firearms-related offenses and 14 for “other violent crimes,” according to a news release.
Attorney General William Barr said in the release that by “most standards,” the operation would be considered a “resounding success.”
“When we launched Operation LeGend, our goal was to disrupt and reduce violent crime, hold violent offenders accountable and give these communities the safety they deserve in memory of LeGend Taliferro, whose young life was claimed by violent crime,” Barr said. “Undoubtedly, we achieved it.”
Following the launch in KCMO, the operation expanded to Chicago; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; St. Louis; Memphis, Tennessee; and Indianapolis, Indiana.
—
For jurisdictions that utilize the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline, anonymous tips can be made by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the 41 Action News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the 41 Action News Mug Shot Policy.
