FBI Busts Southeast Side Drug Operation
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Eight suspected gang members and associates have been charged with running a drug market on the city's Southeast Side.
Seven suspected members or associates of the Almighty Latin Kings Nation were arrested Thursday by FBI agents as a result of "Operation No King," an investigation that went on for almost two years. Authorities are still searching for the eighth suspect.
Authorities say the gang members ran a drug market in the Far Southeast Side neighborhoods of Hegewisch, The Bush and East Side, as well as Calumet City, and Hammond and Whiting, Ind.
The FBI says Paul "Guero" Jasso, 42, of the 9700 block of South Ewing Avenue, was a ranking member of the Latin Kings, and ran the independent drug operation that mostly dealt in powder cocaine. He faces federal charges of conspiracy and distribution of a controlled substance.
Paulino Bosanko, 23, of the 13200 block of South Brandon Avenue; Sandra Barron, 38, and David Ruiz, 52, both of the 9800 block of South Avenue L, also face federal charges. They allegedly ran the drug operation with Jasso.
Five others who allegedly worked for Jasso have been arrested on state charges. They are Joseph Barron, 27, and Josef Neri, 28, both of the 8300 block of South Baltimore Avenue; Charles Schill, 20, of the 10500 block of South Green Bay Avenue; and Loretta Flores, 44, of the 700 block of Buffalo Avenue in Calumet City.
Authorities are still looking for Edwin Tevenal Jr., 30, of the 10800 block of South Avenue H.
Police and the FBI tapped several telephones used by the defendants, and conducted undercover purchases of illegal drugs, as part of the investigation. Eight weapons were recovered in the course of the probe, the FBI said.
The four federal defendants were set to appear at 3 p.m. Thursday for an initial court hearing before U.S. District Judge Morton Denlow. They face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life if convicted.
The defendants who face state charges could go to prison for up to 30 years, the FBI said.
