Oshkosh police have the largest one-day drug bust in the department's history

OSHKOSH (NBC 26) – On Thursday, Oshkosh police conducted two drug raids and seized the most drugs and cash they have ever had in a single day, according to the police chief.

• OPD seized over a kilo of cocaine and over 7.5 pounds of marijuana from two homes in Oshkosh.
• Police Chief Dean Smith says it's the largest single-day seizure he's seen in his 36-year career.
• Chief Smith says large-scale drug investigations like this are becoming more common in the Fox Valley.

(The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story with additional details for the Internet)

Thursday morning, Oshkosh police entered a home in the 1700 block of Lombard Avenue.

Detectives found 30g of cocaine, 50g of marijuana and $3,000 in cash.

Later that same day, OPD entered another home in the 1000 block of Mt. Vernon Street.

There they found over $330,000 worth of cash, 7.5 pounds of marijuana, 1,000 THC cartridges and 1 kilogram of cocaine.

They also seized three vehicles that OPD said were believed to be related to the sale and distribution of drugs.

According to their press release, OPD arrested a 51-year-old man for possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a drug dwelling, possession with intent to deliver more than 40 grams of cocaine, and possession with intent to deliver 2,500-10,000 grams of marijuana.

The case will now be turned over to the U.S. Attorney's Office for federal prosecution.

“It's kind of scary that you don't know what's going on in someone else's house,” says Stella Cole-Ellenbecker.

Cole-Ellenbecker lives on Mt. Vernon Street and said she watched the drug raid from her front yard.

“There had to be five or six police cars lined up here.”

She said it worries her about the safety of her neighborhood, even though she rarely sees crime in her area.

“Yes, very, very scary,” she says. “And that the little ones play outside.”

Chief Smith says the suspects in the investigation may be responsible for the distribution of 62 kilograms of cocaine in the Fox Valley.

“Police officers do their job effectively here,” he says. “Here in the city of Oshkosh, I am very confident that this is the largest single-day seizure we have ever seen – both drugs and cash.”

Chief Smith also says the number of these investigations is increasing here in Oshkosh.

OPD urges community members to continue reporting any tips to police. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Winnebago Crime Stoppers: (920) 231-8477 or online.

“If we find them, we will arrest them and get them off the streets,” Chief Smith said. “Drug trafficking within the community affects everyone.”