DeKALB – On Sept. 1, the DeKalb Police Department arrested seven individuals and executed two search warrants.

According to the DeKalb Police Department, the arrests were part of a three-year investigation into the drug market and part of an effort to curb violent crimes in DeKalb.

The arrests were part of a joint operation between the DeKalb Police Department, FBI, Sycamore Police Department, Rochelle Police Department, Illinois National Guard, and DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s office.

 The following individuals were arrested as part of the investigation, Rodrigo Rabelo, Jowell S. Estrada, Lequan V. Johnson, Jason E. Bock, Joe J. Silva, Reginald B. Hoskins and Marcos Esquivel.

Multiple controlled buys spanning several cities were conducted during this investigation.

A controlled buy is when a cooperating witness or undercover officer purchases illegal items from a criminal suspect. 

The investigation is ongoing and warrants have been issued for other individuals who have not yet been arrested.