PROSECUTORS CHARGE 47 IN CHICAGO DRUG BUST

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 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, or 220 pounds, 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 police
officer. Tashika Sledge, 29, was accused of supplying information
about police activity to gang leader.