'Most significant drug conspiracy' busted in Chicago

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Federal authorities have disrupted a massive cocaine operation that was bringing 1,500 to 2,000 kilos of cocaine a month to Chicago from the most powerful drug traffickers in Mexico, in what law enforcement is calling the most significant drug conspiracy ever to be broken up in Chicago.

Thirty-six people in Chicago and Mexico were indicted.

"These are the most significant drug importation conspiracies ever charged in Chicago," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said. "The indictments charge two major international supply organizations with importing many tons of cocaine and quantities of heroin into the United States, often to wholesale distribution customers in Chicago." Authorities, led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, are seeking to seize $1.8 billion in cash.