A father and son were among 17 people indicted Thursday in a drug-trafficking and gun investigation that netted more than 17 kilograms of drugs and 15 firearms.

 

Authorities began investigating Johnny “Old Man” Chaparro, 50, and his son Johnny “Trigger” Mendez, 29, in 2012 and Chicago Police and the DEA used federal wiretaps on more than a dozen phones to intercept conversation about drugs and guns, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

 

On Nov. 30, 2012, authorities used the intercepted conversations to stop a vehicle driven by Lucio Cuevas and found two kilograms of cocaine and a handgun in a trap compartment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

 

The drugs were destined for a home in the 3700 block of North Oketo Avenue, and authorities arrested resident Chaparro and Mendez, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. Investigators searched the home and found two kilograms of heroin, a handgun and $209,130.

 

A Thursday indictment seeks forfeiture of $758,729 in alleged drug proceeds and their home and vehicle, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

 

Authorities also charged two of their suppliers, Jose Arguijo, 35, and Antonio Valencia-Pantoja, 47, and at least eight customers, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

 

Police arrested Dwyane “Murder” Payne, 29, on Nov. 26, 2012, after he called his brother, Marshall Payne, 31,and said he needed a gun for a memorial service where rival gang members would be present, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

 

Police set up surveillance near the memorial service at North Central Park Avenue and West Division Street and arrested Marshall Payne outside a 2005 Chrysler 300, the release said. Inside the car, police found two loaded TEC-9 semi-automatic pistols with extended magazines on the backseat floor.

 

Six additional defendants were arrested Wednesday, four others last week, two are in state custody and two remain fugitives, the release said. All 17 defendants were charged in eight separate indictments returned Thursday by a federal grand jury.

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