More than 40 suspected members of the Latin Kings face narcotics charges for their alleged roles in two drug trafficking organizations that supplied and distributed huge quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in Chicago and the south suburbs.
Of those arrested, 26 face federal charges stemming from an investigation of narcotics and firearms trafficking, a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago said. The other 17 face related state charges in Cook and Will counties.
On Wednesday, federal agents seized an undetermined amount of cash and 13 firearms, including five long-barreled weapons in the final phase of the operation. A total of 16 people were arrested, joining six already in federal custody. Four suspects remain fugitives, according to federal prosecutors
The two-year investigation, which was aided by an undercover agent who infiltrated the Latin Kings for an extended time, previously led to the seizure of more than $50,000; four firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun; two pounds of heroin and wholesale quantities of cocaine in Chicago; and nearly two tons of marijuana seized along the Southwest border, the release said.
No-knock arrest warrants were used to apprehend Damian Rivera, aka "Spook" and "King Spook," 31, of Burbank; and Emmanuel Fernandez, aka "Maniac" and "Manny," 27, of Chicago, the release said. A judge approved the based on alleged possession of weapons and an "expressed willingness to use violence," federal prosecutors said.
Rivera was the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization in Chicago that bought and sold kilogram quantities of heroin on a monthly basis, the charges allege. Between March and June this year, the organization distributed or attempted to distribute at least 5.5 kilograms of heroin and collected more than $171,850 in drug money, the release said.
Also charged were Pedro Antonio Hernandez Aceves, who brokered the shipments for Rivera’s organization; Emmanuel Fernandez, who stored and distributed the heroin, the charges allege.
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The investigation also included the arrests of several gang members who allegedly planned to rob what they thought was a drug stash house, but was actually a ruse, set up as part of the undercover sting operation, the release said. They included Justin R. Davila, aka “Fatman,” 23; his brother, Jason J. Davila, 21; and Nieko E. Hadley, aka “Yogi,” 20, all of Joliet.
Twenty-two suspects were charged with drug distribution offenses in two separate criminal complaints unsealed following the arrests. All appeared before Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys in U.S. District Court and all but one remain in custody pending detention hearings next week.
Eight defendants were associated with Alan Cisneros, aka “Ghost,” 27, of Summit, leader of a drug trafficking organization based in Summit, and alleged leader of the Midwest Region of the Almighty Latin King Nation, charges allege. He was arrested in May.
Between November 2011 and May 7, 2012, the Cisneros organization allegedly obtained and distributed multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, the release said.
In a separate complaint, Juan Amaya, aka “Crow,” 37, of Chicago, an alleged ranking Latin Kings member who distributed drugs in Little Village neighborhood, was charged with distributing an ounce of cocaine to an undercover agent in November 2010.
