$400K in cash, drugs, cars seized in federal drug trafficking investigation; 12 charged: officials

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Twelve people have been charged after a federal drug trafficking investigation found they allegedly trafficked fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine on the South Side of Chicago, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois said Wednesday.

FBI Chicago led the multi-year investigation, which shut down two separate drug trafficking operations.

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Some of the defendants allegedly supplied drugs to customers in other states, including Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio.

Law enforcement officials seized nearly $400,000 in cash, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz automobiles and a custom-built motorcycle.

Most of the defendants were arrested Friday or early this week, and have begun making initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Chicago.

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