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.