18 gang members arrested, narcotics seized in West Side takedown
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE December 21, 2012 9:04AM
Updated: December 21, 2012 9:04AM
18 gang members were arrested and cannabis, heroin and crack cocaine seized following a three-month investigation of drug sales in the West Side Austin neighborhood, police News Affairs announced Thursday.
More than $85,000 worth of cannabis, heroin, and crack cocaine was recovered as a result of Thursday’s takedown, police News Affairs said in a release.
Drug sales in the area were controlled by the Conservative Vice Lords street gang. Residents assisted the investigation by coming forward with information, police said.
“The success of today’s narcotics mission was not merely an example of diligent police work, it also illustrates the community’s commitment to put these criminals out of business for good,” police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in the release.
Officers from the Narcotics Division conducted purchases during the investigation, with several of the targets identified via surveillance, the release said.
The 18 offenders face charges including delivery of a controlled substance.
