Investigator of the Year named

Al McDonough has been named the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office 2011 Investigator of the Year.

Sheriff Larry Ashley noted McDonough’s “tenacious work ethic and ability to develop and follow investigative leads” in a joint investigation to identify and eliminate a major Mexican drug trafficking network operating in Okaloosa County.

The operation was dubbed “Tres Amigos” and also involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Immigrations Customs Enforcement Agency, Florida State Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Investigator McDonough developed and corroborated information, obtained wire tap authorizations targeting the network’s telephone communications. The information developed resulted in the issuance and execution of 40 search warrants, 30 arrests, and eight federal indictments,” Ashley said.

It also led to the seizure of assets valued at more than $300,000, including 18 vehicles and five firearms.