Police Bust Gang's Uptown Drug Operation
CHICAGO (STMW) -- Six men were arrested — and four are being sought — in a five-month-long investigation into a $500,000 annual narcotics enterprise operated by gang members in the North Side Uptown neighborhood.
"Operation Sugar Magnolia" targeted members of the Black P-Stones street gang operating in and around Magnolia and Wilson avenues, a release from police News Affairs said. The operation closed the narcotics enterprise that is responsible for recent gang violence in the neighborhood.
Two of the six were already in police custody, charged with other violent crimes, the release said.
During the investigation, police were able to seize quantities of cash and crack cocaine. And by utilizing surveillance, undercover work and other investigating techniques, police were able to obtain arrest warrants on 10 people involved in gang and narcotics activity in the Town Hall District.
Marcus Davis, 25, of the 4400 block of North Clifton; Markus Moore, 29, of the 4700 block of North Monticello; Omari Robinson, 19, of the 2900 block of West Touhy; Roy Orr, 25, of the 700 block of West 76th Street; Brayant Rodgers, 27, of the 7100 block of South Harvard; and Wilbur Jackson, 31, of the 4400 block of North Magnolia are each charged with one count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Rodgers was already in custody, charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm for a shooting that happened Jan. 4 in the 4500 block of North Magnolia, the release said.
Jackson was also in custody, charged with aggravated battery with a firearm for a shooting that happened in late November 2010 in the 5900 block of North Ridge.
All six are scheduled to appear for bond hearings on Saturday. Police seek four more individuals.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
