Gang And Drug Probes Yield 55 Arrests

By Anna Deem in News on Oct 2, 2010 6:30PM

Law enforcement officials announced on Thursday that 55 people were arrested on state and federal charges after a series of successful investigations that targeted narcotics, gangs, and guns probes in Chicago. Members of six street gangs and several drug wholesalers were among those charged.

Led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chicago Police, FBI, and the Cook County state's attorney, the investigations used extensive wiretaps in addition to undercover agents. Over 50 kilos of heroin, 17 kilos of cocaine, and 20 guns were seized, authorities revealed to the Chicago Sun-Times. "We're not going to do a single, knock-out blow ever," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said to the Sun-Times, touching on the idea that continued attacks on drug networks are important to weaken gang activity.