Drug arrests drop in Chicago but still snare thousands in black neighborhoods

Law enforcement officials estimate that 100,000 Chicago residents are affiliated with gangs, which rely on drug sales to stay in business.

Most gang members probably have no idea they’re helping the cartels make money, Riley says. “But it’s essentially like Chapo Guzman has 100,000 Amway salesmen working for him.”

No one is eager to see the cartels extend their reach except the cartels. Riley and Chicago police superintendent Garry McCarthy say disrupting their networks—on down to the street level—is critical in preventing violence.

Residents weary of navigating the dealers just want them off their block.

But it’s not that easy. Nearly every time a street operation is cleared out, another one appears to take its place. Such was the case at the corner of Springfield and Thomas in West Humboldt Park. Last year McCarthy and Mayor Rahm Emanuel declared a “ground war” on drug operations there. It was quiet for awhile, but in recent weeks different factions have fought to take back the corner.

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