17 Arrested In High Level Drug-Trafficking Investigation: Police

CHICAGO — A multiyear joint federal and local investigation into drug trafficking has led to the arrest of 17 people from the Chicago area, U.S. Attorney John Lausch, U.S. Homeland Security and the Chicago Police Department announced Thursday.

The investigation, wittily named "Operation Tragic Blow", began in November 2018 as part of a federal organized crime drug enforcement operation, which investigates high-level criminals, officials said.

The investigation removed multiple kilograms of heroin and cocaine from Chicago neighborhoods, including a 14-kilogram (30.9-pound) load of cocaine in Belmont Cragin and a 2-kilogram (4.4-pound) seizure in Buena Park.

"No one wants drug dealers on their block," Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said at a press conference announcing the charges. "These criminal networks are fueled and financed by the sale of illegal drugs in our communities, and this is how we are going to improve public safety in Chicago."

In many instances, the seized cocaine or heroin was packaged and intended for distribution, authorities said. The complaint also alleges that two defendants attempted to sell heroin to an undercover police officer.

Of the 17 charged, some were suburban natives from Oak Lawn, Dolton and Cicero. Four of the defendants were from outside the United States.

"The charging and arrests of these individuals reflects our commitment to standing in the way of criminals who endanger our community by trafficking narcotics," said Angie Salazar, special agent in charge of the Chicago Homeland Security Investigations office. "We stand united in our pursuit of accountability for those who threaten our communities."

Lausch said there are no allegations of violence against anyone involved in the case.

Many of the 17 federal defendants were arrested Wednesday and have begun making initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago. In addition to the 17 federal defendants, Lausch said, two other individuals were charged in state court.

While the investigation benefitted the federal operation, Brown said the effort shows how multiple agencies can tackle drug trafficking before it benefits criminal organizations.

"It is one neighborhood at a time, and it is everyone working together."