Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jun 2006
Source: Examiner, The (Independence, MO)
Copyright: 2006 The Examiner
Contact:  http://www.examiner.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3074
Author: The Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

RAID TARGETS CHICAGO GANG MEMBERS IN TAINTED HEROIN TRADE LINKED TO 
SCORES OF DEATHS

CHICAGO -- Federal prosecutors Wednesday charged more than three 
dozen members of a Chicago street gang with running a drug ring that 
sold crack cocaine, marijuana, heroin and the potentially lethal 
prescription painkiller fentanyl. Fentanyl-laced heroin has been 
blamed for more than 200 overdose-related deaths across the eastern 
half of the country in recent months, at least 70 in the Chicago area.

But while much of the fentanyl seized in the investigation was 
packaged for individual use, none of the seized heroin was found to 
be mixed with fentanyl, authorities said. The legally produced 
painkiller is 80 times stronger than morphine. Assistant U.S. 
Attorney Gary Shapiro alleged that the Mickey Cobras gang marketed 
its drugs to take advantage of the deadly heroin's notoriety, selling 
products with names such as "Max Pain," "Lethal Injection," "Fear 
Factor," "Drop Dead" and "Final Call." "They carry niche marketing to 
its extreme," Shapiro said. "They sell branded heroin." None of the 
defendants had been charged with the fentanyl deaths, he said. In a 
series of raids Wednesday, agents seized more than 100 kilograms of 
heroin, five firearms, four vehicles and an undetermined amount of 
cash, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. More than 400 
federal and local law enforcement officers were involved. The 
criminal complaint charged 47 members and associates of the gang with 
conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana 
and fentanyl.

By early afternoon, 30 people had been arrested, including a Chicago 
police officer. Tashika Sledge, 29, was accused of having a 
relationship with a gang leader and supplying information about 
police activity. Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said many of the 
arrests took place at the Dearborn Homes public housing complex, a 
gang stronghold a few miles south of the Loop, but the alleged drug 
ring extended to nearby states. The investigation involved wiretaps, 
search warrants and drug buys, authorities said. Before Wednesday's 
arrests, authorities! had seized or purchased 4 kilos of heroin, 309 
grams of fentanyl, cash and six firearms.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman