Eleven people were arrested after a three-month investigation on the West Side targeting illegal activity connected to the Four Corner Hustlers street gang, Chicago police announced Friday.
“Operation Split Corners” targeted “mid-level” drug dealers and rooted out drug and gang activity around the 5600 Block of West Division Street, officials said at a news conference at the 25th District police station, 5555 W. Grand Ave.
Of the 11 arrested, seven were charged with a felony count of calculated criminal drug conspiracy — a charge that carries a heavier sentence and keeps criminals off the streets for a longer period of time, Supt. David Brown said.
Three of those arrested are facing weapon charges, while three other suspects remain at large.
“Community members and police officers are equally frustrated when the neighborhood drug dealer goes to jail only to be replaced by another ambitious criminal,” Brown said.
Narcotics officers from the 15th and 25th police districts recovered 64 grams of heroin, 30 grams of crack cocaine, 90 grams of cannabis and small amounts of MDMA during the investigation.
Jordan Food Mart, at 5652 W. Division St., was also identified as a location being used for drug transactions, police said. The business was given multiple notice of violations and subsequently shut down by the city due to building code violations.
Chicago police will be carrying out more investigations focusing on mid-level drug dealers instead of low-level offenders in hopes of minimizing the growth of the drug trade, Brown said.
“This is just the beginning,” Brown said.
Thomas Mills, commander of narcotics and vice, added, “These are drug dealers that work together to facilitate an open-air drug market. Their actions attract a dangerous crowd to a neighborhood or street corner leaving nearby residents feeling unsafe and even trapped in their own homes.”
Those arrested include:
- Michael Callaway, 43, of the 5800 block West Erie Street
- Lavell Davis, 32, of the 1200 block of North Mason Avenue
- Melvin Dixon, 32, of the 1300 block of North Waller Avenue
- Calvin Gipson, 53, of the 5800 block of West Division Street
- Nakia Huges, 22, of the 5400 Block of West Kamerling Avenue
- Darryl Jones, 57, of the 1400 block of North Massasoit Avenue
- Parish Perkins, 44, of the 5200 block of West Crystal Street
- Angelina Ramos, 55, of the 5800 block of West Division Street
- Andre Studmire, 59, of the 1200 block of North Central Avenue
- Mary Tucker, 60, of the 1000 block of North Parkside Avenue
- Phyllis Williams, 61, of the 1000 block of West Balmoral Avenue
