Chicago Police Bust Drug Ring, Arrest Cartel Members

The Chicago Police Department today arrested 12 South Side drug-trafficking suspects, including members of the Gangster Disciples street gang and two Mexican drug cartel operators.

The arrests capped a mid-level narcotics investigation near 7900 S. Bennett Ave. and 7900 S. Yates St. in the South East suburbs of Chicago.

"The Chicago Police Department continues its efforts to alleviate violence and chronic narcotic markets in all neighborhoods," said Narcotics Commander James O'Grady. Narcotics Division officers initiated surveillance and infiltrated the drug market as covert officers made undercover narcotics purchases that helped identify the offenders.

On Thursday, narcotics officers and South Chicago (4th District) officers executed arrest warrants resulting in the apprehension of 12 of the 14 wanted targets.

Officers also executed search warrants that resulted in the seizure of approximately 70,000 grams of marijuana valued at $722,000 and approximately $10,000 worth of crack cocaine, heroin, and illegal narcotic funds.

Officers also recovered two semi-automatic handguns and five vehicles.