More Than 25 Arrested For Selling Fentanyl In Chicago: Feds

CHICAGO — More than 25 people are facing charges for selling pure fentanyl or fentanyl-laced heroin in Chicago, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. The office said many of those who were taken into custody sold narcotics to an undercover law enforcement officer earlier this year.

The drugs were sold in the Tri-Taylor, Humboldt Park, West Garfield Park and Chatham neighborhoods, according to the federal charges.

The investigation was led by the Chicago Police Department, and received support from federal agencies assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, including the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. In addition to the undercover work, law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance and seized "distribution quantities" of fentanyl and fentanyl-laced heroin, according to the state's Attorney's Office.

Seven people were charged in federal court and 22 were charged in state court, the office said. Many of the defendants were arrested Thursday.

“We’ve seen the devastation that drugs – especially fentanyl – leave on an individual, their family and our communities,” State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx said in a statement. “These charges are a step in the right direction as we send a message that fentanyl has no place on our streets. "

According to the federal complaints, Anthony McClendon, 38, of Chicago, sold more than three grams of pure fentanyl to an undercover officer on May 18. The deal allegedly occurred on the street in the 1000 block of South Western Avenue in Chicago.

Antron Binion, 48, of Chicago, sold at least four grams of fentanyl-laced heroin over five separate deals this summer, the complaint states. The deals allegedly occurred at various locations in West Garfield Park, including a transaction on a ramp leading to a pedestrian bridge over the Dwight D. Eisenhower Expressway.

Vance Estes, 34, of Chicago, sold more than a gram of fentanyl-laced heroin and more than a gram of heroin in two separate deals in July, the complaint states. The deals allegedly occurred as Estes sat in his vehicle in the 9100 block of South Wabash Avenue in Chicago. Alejandro Junco, 27, of Chicago, also sold distribution levels of fentanyl-laced heroin in the same block in July, the complaint states.

James Alexander, 34, of Chicago, Kenyon Savage, 24, of Chicago, and LaShawn Banks, 20, of Chicago, each sold "distribution levels" of fentanyl-laced heroin in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood this summer, the complaints state.

“The sale and use of these substances has affected more than just the individual using them,” CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson said in a statement. “It has left multiple scars on some of our communities. CPD will continue to work with our federal and state partners to do everything we can to make our streets safer and to save lives in the process.”

The federal drug distribution charge is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

“These arrests help tackle our city’s most serious drug threat – fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Brian McKnight. “For those who want to put poison on our streets, we are not done with you.”

The federal defendants have begun making initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago, while the state defendants will appear in Cook County Criminal Court.

Image: stock photo by Amber Fisher/Patch