Almost three dozen Chicago gang members are now in custody, charged this week with running a drug ring. The defendants are all part of the Mickey Cobras street gang. Authorities say 31 of the 47 people charged were in custody on Wednesday.
They filed into court for their hearings in three separate groups, all dressed in orange prison jumpsuits. They’re charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, and fentanyl, a prescription painkiller.
A Chicago police officer was among those in custody, but she and another defendant arranged to get out on $10 thousand bail.
The charges carry penalties of 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $4 million. Bail hearings are scheduled next week for other defendants.