Two dozen people including several with Evanston connections have been arrested following a two-year investigation of narcotics trafficking and passport fraud, and at least two more are still being sought.
Two dozen people including several with Evanston connections have been arrested following a two-year investigation of narcotics trafficking and passport fraud, and at least two more are still being sought.
The suspects, alleged members and associates of the Belizean Bloods street gang, were arrested this week in a coordinated series of raids in Evanston, Chicago and as far away as Salt Lake City — where the alleged leader of the gang, Jerry Johnson, about age 30, who reportedly has lived in Chicago and Evanston was taken into custody.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says Johnson allegedly imported cocaine from Belize and distributed it in wholesale quantities. Johnson allegedly inherited his father’s drug connections when the father was deported to Belize.
Evanston police say others arrested this week who had Evanston connections include:
- William Gentle, 30, of Chicago, and Richard Ellis, 18, of Evanston, who were charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine between May and July of this year.
- Ward Anderson, 29, of Chicago, charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute in March.
- Douglas Wilson, 57, of Evanston, charged with Johnson and others of possessing and distributing wholesale quantiites of cocaine and crack cocaine between August 2010 and March.
- Gilbert Gadson, 45, of Chicago, charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine in January and February.
Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington said the joint operation by several federal agencies as well as Chicago and Evanston police focused on “higher level offenders that bring guns and drugs into our community.” He sayd it will have “many positive benefits” including the lengthy federal prison sentences the offenders face upon conviction.
Evanston police say they’re also looking for two other men — Leonard Soberanis and Sheldon Morales — in connection with the investigation.
Morales, 30, is described as 5-foot-8-inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. Soberanis, 29, is described as 5-foot-4-inches tall and weighing 140 pounds with scars on his forehead and a bulldog tattoo.
Both men are considered armed and dangerous, and police ask anyone with information about their whereabouts to call Evanston police at 847-866-5000 or the FBI.