(WWJ) Detroit Police are hailing their new ShotSpotter technology for helping investigators bust an illegal gun manufacturing operation.
Police Chief James Craig says that within 24 hours of installing the tech, officers were led to a home where alleged gang members were making guns, and test firing in a residential neighborhood.
Executing a search warrant, Craig said members of the Ninth Precinct Special Ops and Gang Enforcement seized a long gun, multiple handguns, all kinds of weapons making components and "hundreds of rounds" of assorted ammunition.
"I've seen pictures," Craig told reporters, "and the setup inside of this private single-family residence to me resembled a very small gun manufacturing operation."
Craig said officers also recovered a drill press. "And the reason for the drill press is to manufacture pistols and what we now know as ghost guns." the chief explained. "There's been a lot of conversation across this country about ghost guns being used in crimes, violent crimes... But this is the first time, at least during my tenure, that we have seen or come across a ghost gun."
Ghost gun is a term used to described a homemade firearm that lacks commercial serial numbers and is therefore untraceable.
Two men, whom Craig described as "active gang members," were arrested at the scene. The suspects are both 25 years old, the chief said, and one of them is believed to have been involved in a recent shooting.
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As for the tech used in this case, the DPD late last year received approval of a four-year, $1.5 million contract for the use of the sound sensor system ShotSpotter. The software detects where gunshots have been fired within a four mile radius, and alerts police.
In this case, Craig said officers found evidence that 75 or more shots were fired on the property.
The chief said this incident demonstrates the growing problem of illegal firearms in Detroit.
"Let me say it clearly... The proliferation of illegal guns is the number one reason for increased shooting incidents in our city," Craig said.
"You've heard me talk about other reasons — and certainly the pandemic is driving a lot of it — but it's just the number of illegal guns in our city, and like most cities around American today," he added. "So the bottom line is more people are purchasing or obtaining them illegally. But imagine a manufacturing operation in a residential community making guns, selling guns; and guns that are ghost guns and untraceable being used in the commission of violent crimes."
The two suspects, whose name have not yet been released, are being held at the Detroit Detention Center while awaiting charges.
Craig said the ATF is also involved in the investigation, and federal charges are possible in the case.