Drug Ring Busted In Chiacgo

September 29, 2006 - Nine members of an international drug-trafficking ring that supplied heroin from Ghana to Chicago and other Midwest cities were charged Friday as apart of a joint investigation by Chicago Police and the U.S. DEA, according to police.

Seven of the nine were in custody as of Friday afternoon, according to a release from Chicago Police, including Moshoodi E. Ajijola, 38, of the 6600 block of North Damen Avenue. Authorities identified Ajijola as the head of the operation and charged him and eight others with federal drug conspiracy, the release said.

After a six-month undercover investigation by police and DEA agents dubbed "Operation Saheroin," authorities learned the organization imported pure heroin from Africa through Indian to America and finally to Chicago, where it was sold to customers for redistribution around the Midwest, including Rockford, St. Louis and Minneapolis, the release said.

Ajijola and six others were arrested last week, while a seventh suspect was arrested Friday, all on federal warrants. Police and federal agents used an undercover officer and wiretaps in the investigation, the release said.