More than 50 people were arrested and “substantial” amounts of drugs, cash and guns — including two Tech 9 machine pistols — were confiscated Thursday following a Chicago police investigation into several South Side drug rings.
Police executed search warrants that helped take down 55 offenders, including convicted felons, who were arrested with weapons and drugs at several locations on the Far South Side, according to a police News Affairs release. A total of 35 guns were recovered during the course of the investigation.
Terrel Smith, 22, of the 7700 block of South Kingston Avenue, was charged with possession of a controlled substance/heroin, police said. A convicted felon and local street gang member, Smith is considered by police to be a key target involved in criminal and narcotics activity on the far South Side.
Xavier Wilson, 30, of the 8200 block of South Marshfield Avenue, also a convicted felon, was charged with possession of a controlled substance/cocaine along with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and unlawful use of a weapon/silencer, police said.
Wilson was arrested while in possession of several packages of cocaine along with a loaded 9 millimeter handgun fitted with a silencer, police said.
Police on Thursday also shut down a location in the South Chicago District (4th) that served as a grow house for cannabis.