Chicago Police Arrest 140 for Guns, Drugs in One of Largest Sweeps

— -- As police in Chicago work to combat the ongoing threat of violence, the department announced the arrests of 140 people and the seizure of 23 weapons, in what Chicago Police Deputy Chief Eric Carter called one of the largest initiatives in the department's history.

Chicago police targeted 170 offenders within a day and a half and arrested 140, Carter said at a press conference Friday afternoon.

Out of the 140 people, 136 were arrested for felonies and four were arrested for misdemeanors, Carter said.

"This was a very major mission," Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson said at the press conference.

The police department is "sending a clear message," Johnson said. "If you choose this lifestyle that fuels the engine of violence in our city, you will feel the full weight of our department. ... You will be held accountable."

Johnson said of the 140 arrested, 95 are documented gang members and 117 are on the police department's "strategic subject list," which he said "targets people that have criminal histories," "a propensity for violence," or "have been victims of violence."

Johnson said 23 weapons were seized.

Carter said $45,000 worth of narcotics were seized, mostly heroine, cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis.

Johnson called the initiative "progress" but not "success." Going into the summer, as more people are outside and there are "more possibilities for disturbances that turn into violence confrontations," Johnson said the police department has plans in place to address a potential uptick in violence.