Illinois authorities recently charged 10 people with drug crimes over their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking ring that shipped cocaine from Texas to Chicago. The charges were announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
According to media reports, investigators from the Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program and the Organized Drug Trafficking Task Force executed a search warrant at a stash house in Kenwood. The search allegedly uncovered 14 kilograms of cocaine, 15 guns, approximately $30,000 in diamond jewelry and $215,000 in cash and gold.
One of the defendants, a 50-year-old Tinley Park man, is accused of leading the drug ring and distributing around 23 kilograms of cocaine throughout the Chicago metropolitan area over a 90-day period earlier this year. Meanwhile, another defendant, a 40-year-old Texas man, is accused of driving cocaine from the Lone Star State to Chicago in a tractor-trailer about two times a month. A third defendant, a 37-year-old man from Houston, allegedly flew from Texas to Chicago multiple times to facilitate drug shipments. Four other Illinois men, ages 34, 38, 45 and 51, are accused of distributing the cocaine once it reached Chicago. Another two men, ages 53 and 60, allegedly conspired to distribute the cocaine. Eight of the defendants have been released on bond, but two remain in custody.
Individuals facing drug charges might be tempted to cooperate with police and hope for the best. However, it may be prudent for a defendant to exercise their right to remain silent and contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Legal counsel could protect a defendant’s rights during police questioning and attempt to develop a strong defense against the allegations. This could lead to the charges being dropped or reduced.