OPERATION SOUL’D OUT POLICE PUT TWO 16th STREET DRUG CREWS OUT OF BUSINESS

The cover for The GARFIELD/LAWNDALE VOICE this week:

    Chicago Police dismantled two separate narcotics enterprises along 16th Street and arrested 18 gang members responsible for providing a continuous flow of crack cocaine, heroin, and cannabis in North Lawndale. One offender is still being sought.
    Officers from the Chicago Police Narcotics Squad D-5 and Tactical Officers from the 10th District Ogden Station collaborated in successfully executing OPERATION SOUL’D OUT. The mission was launched January 13, and targeted the Black Souls street gang and its narcotics distribution network after local citizens reported steady streams of pedestrian and vehicular traffic near residences and schools.
    Surveillance was initiated and officers learned that the activity was linked to a narcotics trafficking crew operating primarily on 16th Street between Christiana and Homan, where officers made a dozen undercover purchases of crack cocaine, heroin, and cannabis from several individuals.
    A second crew was found to be operating primarily out of two homes in the 1500 block of South Homan Avenue and another residence in the 1500 block of South Christiana Avenue. Both residences supplied a steady stream of narcotics buyers, including undercover officers who made fifteen purchases of crack cocaine and heroin.
    Officers executed a search warrant at the home on Homan Avenue and seized a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition, crack cocaine, and cash. Alonzo Calhoun, a 32-year old resident at the address and a convicted felon with prior narcotics arrests, was taken into custody. His case is in review for possible federal prosecution.
    Officers made a total of 27 buys within 1,000 feet of area schools throughout the five-month investigation. Seven vehicles are eligible for seizure and three buildings are being referred to the Gang and Drug House Unit for further investigation and possible forfeiture.

Persons knowing the whereabouts of any of the fugitives in this case are urged to call the Narcotics & Gangs 24-Hour Hotline:
(312) 746-7510

INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED & CHARGED IN OPERATION SOUL’D OUT:
- David Grace, 27, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Willie Johnson, 61, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Waldon Brown, 34, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Kevin Applewhite, 25, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Paul Elem, 33, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Tyrone Christopher, 55, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Germaine Lovelady, 35, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Antonio Perkins, 22, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Larthel Phillips, 39, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Jeremiah Smith, 26, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Walter Johnson, 67, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Bernard Pickett, 30, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, In Custody
- Larry Archer, 49, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- Alonzo Calhoun, 32, Possession of a Controlled Substance/Unlawful Use of a
Weapon by a Felon, In Custody Ernestine Woods, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, In Custody
- William Hughes, 32, Currently incarcerated at Illinois Dept. of Corrections,
has a warrant for Criminal Drug Conspiracy and will be indicted by the State’s Attorney.
- Anthony Newburn, 18, Currently incarcerated at Cook County Dept. of
Corrections, has a warrant for Criminal Drug Conspiracy and will be indicted by the State’s Attorney.
- Vincent Franklin, 37, Currently incarcerated at Illinois Dept. of Corrections,
has a warrant for Criminal Drug Conspiracy and will be indicted by the State’s Attorney.
- Michael Elliot, 57, Criminal Drug Conspiracy, WANTED