Eight in alleged north Minneapolis heroin ring indicted

Federal prosecutors on Monday announced the takedown of eight members of an alleged heroin distribution network operating in north Minneapolis known as "The Crew."

Members of the ring traveled twice a month to Chicago to buy as much 400 grams of heroin, then brought it back to Minnesota where it was sold in .1 or .2 gram bags for about $40 per bag, according to the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Andy Luger estimates the value of the drugs at about $1.6 million. He said the arrests will cut off the supply to users put those who sell the drugs on notice

"There is — if you are a heroin dealer — no safe place in Minnesota to do business," Luger said.

The operation appeared to be efficient and customer friendly. Runners were available 24 hours a day, every day, to deliver heroin to customers, who were typically directed by a "dispatcher" to go to north Minneapolis.

Customers would be directed to a street corner and call one of several cell phone numbers once they arrived. A runner would show up soon after with the heroin, the charges allege.

Police around the Twin Cities metro area have been helping investigate The Crew operation since May.

"Law enforcement is fully committed to shutting down the 'heroin highway' and the organizations responsible for distributing this deadly drug around the Twin Cities metro area," Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said in a statement.

Stanek has said overdose deaths in Hennepin County have risen from just six deaths three years ago to 56 in 2013.

Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau said 33 of those overdose deaths last year occurred in the city.

"We've had some successes — 255 arrests for heroin last year alone. But no one agency can combat this alone," Harteau said. "We've looked at our local, regional and federal partners in addressing the challenges and you see some of those successes today."