CHICAGO — Police arrested 38 people and seized guns, cars and drugs as two unrelated South Side narcotics investigations came to a close this week, authorities said.
Since January, Morgan Park police have been investigating an alleged open-air drug market operating from the 10900 to 11100 blocks of South Racine Avenue, police said. Gang members were allegedly selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a school.
On Wednesday, officers arrested 19 suspects and seized two vehicles, which contained cash, heroin, cannabis, ecstasy and crack cocaine. Cops also found two semi-automatic handguns, one rifle and one replica semi-automatic handgun, authorities said.
In an unrelated three-month investigation in the South Chicago district, police discovered that three street gangs were working together to sell drugs on the 8000 block of South Escanaba Avenue.
On Thursday, officers arrested 19 people and seized heroin, cannabis and crack cocaine.
“Dismantling drug markets is critical to decreasing gang violence and criminal activity in our communities,” Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said Saturday in a statement.
Those arrested were charged with various drug and weapon offenses, including unlawful use of a weapon, possession and delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, delivery of cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of cannabis.
Police are still searching for several additional suspects.
