West Side Drug Investigation Nets 11 Arrests

Eleven people targeted in a narcotics sales investigation by Chicago police on the West Side are in custody, and police continue to look for more suspects in connection to the investigation.

The results of the Narcotics Division investigation was announced Saturday by police.

The CPD’s Narcotics Division initiated an investigation into narcotics activity, primarily the sale of heroin in an open-air drug market, that was going on in the Harrison District in the area of Springfield and Ferdinand, a release from police said. Narcotics sales in that area were controlled by the Vice Lords street gang, according to the release. Police say that recent incidents of violence that have impacted the community can be attributed to the gang and narcotics activity taking place in this area.

“Focusing on the areas in our communities most susceptible to violence will help us achieve our goal of reducing violence citywide,” police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said. “Combating gang and drug activity at the street level will help us in our aim to provide a safer city for all.”

“It is important to demonstrate to everyone that gangbangers and drug dealers will not operate with impunity on our streets,” James O’Grady, Commander of the Narcotics Division, said. “Members of the Narcotics Division, and members of the Department as a whole, are committed to helping take back these streets for the law-abiding residents of the community.”

Surveillance and numerous controlled narcotics transactions enabled officers to identify 13 targets responsible for the sale of narcotics in the community. The majority of the identified targets are documented gang members, including eight convicted felons and one parolee, police said. Of the 13 targets, 11 were placed into custody following Saturday’s roundup.

The offenders arrested in this takedown have all been charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Police are continuing to gather information and the investigation is ongoing.

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