7.b

Drugs are a Favorite Past-time of Gang Members

Although the document below left shows the link between Cartels and Gangs in Chicago, this type of activity occurs in every state as evidenced by the document below right.

DEA’s Chicago office has conducted numerous investigations involving the drug trafficking and violent criminal activity associated with Chicago street gangs. Several of these cases have successfully linked the supply chain from individual gang members on the streets all the way back to senior cartel members in Mexico. These cases illustrate the links between drug distribution and violent crime, as well as highlight the importance of understanding the dynamics at each level of the supply chain to identify critical “choke points” necessary to disrupt the flow of drugs.

Joint Intelligence Report- 2017: Chicago Police Department and DEA/DOJ

Cartels and Gangs in Chicago

Gangs and Drugs Across the Nation

This document from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention outlines the correlation of drugs and gangs across the nation. It includes information about studies in Los Angeles, Miami, St. Louis, Chicago, Boston, and San Diego.

https://www.ojjdp.gov/jjjournal/jjjournal1297/gang.html