Dangerous Heroin Responsible For 74 Overdoses Sparks Police Investigation

By Kate Shepherd in News on Oct 5, 2015 3:33PM

bags of heroin, via Getty Images

After a shocking report of 74 heroin overdoses in Chicago in 72 hours from possibly tainted batches, two reputed gang members were arrested on drug charges.

On Friday, Alfonzo Sylvester, 24, and Mario Wofford, 26, allegedly sold an undercover Chicago cop 4.8 grams of heroin, which is worth $720, near Garfield Park, according to the Tribune.

Chicago police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration searched the West Side this weekend looking for the source of the dangerous heroin batches, which were possibly laced with the painkiller fentanyl. Most of the heroin batches were purchased on the West Side.

Authorities have been flooded with reports of heroin overdoses since the outbreak started last week, which is reflected in the Tribune's overnight log of police scanners this weekend. Police are investigating to determine whether at least one death was connected to the dangerous batches.

Sylvester and Wofford are both members of the Unknown Vice Lords street gang, according to court records. Wofford was arrested on Friday shortly after the alleged sale to an undercover cop and was charged with possession with intent to deliver.

Following the alleged heroin transaction, Sylvester managed to flee and led police on a brief car chase. He was spotted walking by a Chicago police sergeant near 47th Street and King Drive on Saturday and was arrested following another brief chase, the Tribune reported. He was charged with two felonies: possession of heroin with the intent to deliver and aggravated fleeing and eluding police, according to the Tribune.

Sylvester admitted to selling drugs to the undercover police officer, according to prosecutors.