Kirk links suburban deaths to Mexican drug trade

By RUPA SHENOY Associated Press Writer
6:03 PM CDT, April 16, 2009

“An increase in suburban Chicago heroin overdose deaths is linked to gangs’ illegal drug and arms trade with Mexican cartels, U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk said Thursday. The north suburban Republican supports national legislation that would put $150 million toward stopping underground trafficking of firearms used by gangs that sell drugs. Three Mexican cartels operate through gangs in the Chicago area, and authorities cannot stop the flow of drugs to the region without targeting the groups’ arms, Kirk said.”

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