LOWELL — Governor Mike Braun joined Indiana State Police troopers, detectives and command staff in Northwest Indiana on Thursday to recognize District 13’s major public safety achievements this year, including dismantling major narcotics pipelines, taking violent fugitives off the streets, and solving every interstate shooting investigated by the Criminal Investigations Division.
“District 13 sits along primary interstate arteries that connect major metropolitan areas. This makes it a frontline defense against regional trafficking organizations and violent interstate crimes,” said Gov. Braun. “Our Indiana State Police are doing extraordinary work, and these results show a microcosm of the highest standard of law enforcement we’re seeing at agencies across the state.”
During the visit, Gov. Braun met with Trooper Benjamin Beers, who was shot during a traffic stop in Hammond on May 26, and Sgt. Justin Heflin, who was shot following a pursuit in Michigan City on July 10. The Governor thanked both troopers for their service and recognized the immense personal risks law enforcement personnel face daily to keep Hoosiers safe.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the Drug Enforcement Section Interdiction Unit conducted traffic stops along I-65 and I-80/94 that resulted in the arrests of violent criminals and seizure of large amounts of cash, drugs and illegal firearms.
Recent enforcement successes include:
- More than 270 pounds of marijuana and THC concentrates seized, including a 150-pound THC oil seizure in Chesterton, 70 pounds of vacuum-sealed marijuana recovered following a K-9 alert on I-94 in Porter County, and 50 pounds of marijuana products intercepted in Portage.
- Thirty-six pounds of cocaine and opioids seized, including a bulk narcotics load intercepted on I-65 in Jasper County that was traveling from Los Angeles to Cincinnati.
- Violent offenders taken into custody and illegal firearms recovered, including the arrest of a murder suspect in LaPorte County and the recovery of a stolen handgun frame connected to a 2024 Indianapolis homicide during a traffic stop in Lake County.
- More than $154,000 in suspected drug proceeds seized, including $137,020 in Crown Point and $17,400 in Portage.
This year, CID detectives have solved every interstate shooting they have investigated, successfully clearing all four cases stemming from shootings on I-65 and I-80/94 between June 9 and July 14. Each investigation resulted in the swift identification and arrest of suspects.
Governor Braun said these results reflect his administration’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and ensuring Indiana remains aggressive in disrupting criminal organizations, removing dangerous drugs and illegal firearms from Indiana communities.
