7 charged in Harvey-Ohio drug and firearms trafficking operation

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- Seven people face federal charges for allegedly participating in a drug and firearms trafficking operation run between Harvey and Marion, Ohio, officials said.

Aubrey Burks, 22, of Harvey, allegedly ran the trafficking operation, officials said. Burks and five defendants allegedly conspired to deliver heroin and crack cocaine to drug customers near Marion between January and April, sometimes taking firearms as payment, officials said.

The defendants also allegedly obtained drugs in the Chicago area by exchanging firearms for narcotics, or selling firearms for money used to buy drugs, officials said.

Kierre Waterford, 24; Kevin Jackson, 23; Omar Burks, 24; Anthony Jackson, 20; and Daniel Murphy, 28 were charged together for allegedly conspiring with Burks to distribute the drugs and firearms. Anthony Galvin, 19, was charged in a third complaint for selling firearms without a federal license.

The charges come as all seven were arrested in Harvey and Marion within the last week, with at least 19 stolen firearms being seized during the investigation, officials said.