Police: 'Uptown Girl' investigation nets 18 arrests

 4-month investigation into drug sales on the North Side ended Wednesday with the arrests of 18 suspects, police said.

The investigation -- dubbed "Operation Uptown Girl" by police -- focused on drug sales at various locations in the Uptown neighborhood and was started because of resident complaints about street gangs in the area, police said in a news release.
"Operation Uptown Girl" was a follow up to January's Operation "Sugar Magnolia," which closed down a gang drug enterprise that took in $500,000 a year in the area, police said.

Wednesday's arrests targeted members of the Gangster Disciple and Vice Lords street gangs who have been involved in a conflict over gang and narcotics territory in the Lincoln and Town Hall police districts, according to the release. The investigation involved dozens of narcotics purchases by undercover officers from known gang members selling within 1,000 feet of schools in the area.

After police spread out through the North Side neighborhood armed with arrest and search warrants, 18 suspects -- including three juveniles -- were taken into custody, and another 11 people are still being sought. During the investigation officials seized quantities of cash, narcotics and a semiautomatic pistol, police said.

Those arrested face various drug charges and the adults are scheduled to appear in bond court on Thursday. Arrest warrants have been obtained for 11 suspects that remain at large, police said.