Hundreds Of Guns Seized In South Side Street Gang Investigation

CHICAGO, IL — Authorities have seized hundreds of guns, as well as a stash of illegal and prescription narcotics, as part of a street gang investigation that has spanned more than two years and led to more than 45 alleged members and associates facing charges stemming from allegations they sold firearms and drugs on Chicago's South Side and in the surrounding suburbs.

The results of the joint federal and state probe targeting the Gangster Two-Six Nation street gang — called "Operation Bunny Trap" — were announced by the U.S. attorney's office's Northern District on Friday. The investigation was led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and involved representatives from the Chicago Police Department, Cook County State's Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshals and other agencies working under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which goes after the most serious drug and firearms trafficking and money laundering organizations.

Federal charges were brought against 21 defendants in the investigation with most of the individuals arrested Thursday, according to a statement by the U.S. attorney's office released Friday. State charges also are pending against 27 defendants. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for the South Side and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Investigators began the operation in late 2014, using undercover drug and gun buys and extensive surveillance to uncover the alleged criminal activities connected with the Gangster Two-Six Nation gang, which operates nationally but is primarily centered around the South Side and suburbs, as well as in Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas, Georgia and Kansas, according to law enforcement. Overall, the probe netted the following seizures from alleged illegal sales in the neighborhoods of Chicago Lawn, Clearing, Chatham and Englewood, as well as the suburban Berwyn, Homewood and Alsip:

• about 118 guns, including several assault rifles and shotguns
• 25 rounds of ammunition
• two ballistic vests
• more than 800 grams of cocaine
• more than 250 grams of fentanyl
• more than 280 grams of crystal meth

Two alleged illegal gun deals uncovered by the investigation happened in Jaunary in a grocery store parking lot in the South Loop, according to authorities. Eduardo Castro, 30, of Chicago, allegedly sold three handguns to a confidential source working with investigators, and he faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and selling firearms without a license, the federal complaints state.

In alleged illegal gun and drug sales in early 2015, Anthony Lopez, 34, of Chicago, is accused of selling cocaine and a handgun to a cooperating source at a Brighton Park neighborhood pizza parlor, according to the complaints. Lopez is charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon stemming from the incident.

The following 17 defendants face federal charges in connection with the investigation:

• Julian Alejandro, 25, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Vincent Avila, 45, Alsip: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
• Heriberto Balderas, 49, Chicago: possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
• Joseph Bustos, 36, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Joseph Cardenas, 43, Chicago: possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
• Francisco Cardoza, 36, Chicago: possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
• James Cortez, 39, Chicago: dealing firearms without a license
• Arbnor Gashi, 24, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• James Kachiroubas, 20, Chicago: dealing firearms without a license
• Juan Ochoa, 58, Alsip: possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute
• James Pelikan, 29, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Rey Benitez, 33, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• John Repel, 37, Chicago: possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Alexander Rivera, 26, of East Chicago, Indiana: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Tara Zambrano, 24, of Griffith, Indiana: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon
• Jose Cortez, 39, Orland Hills: knowingly possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number
• Francisco Sanchez, 50, Chicago: illegal possession of a firearm by a felon.

Two other federal defendants — Richard Gacho, 43, of Burbank, and David Santiago, 35, of Kansas — were previously indicted in federal court in Chicago as part of the probe. They've pleaded not guilty and await trial.

Defendants charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a felon face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Selling firearms without a license and knowingly possessing a firearm with an altered serial number each carry sentences of up to five years if convicted.

Photo via Shutterstock

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