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http://www.myfoxchicago.com/story/29302192/dea-heroin-chicago

DEA Special Agent: Heroin user dies every 3 days in Chicago area

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) — For the DEA in Chicago, heroin is now their number one priority.

Agents told FOX 32 that heroin use has tripled in the last three years, and police seized more than 2 million dollars of heroin in the western suburbs over the weekend.

Police found the heroin package at the Aurora Transportation Center. Law enforcement said that with this bust, they may have saved someone from overdosing.

However, the battle against the drug continues.

Heroin is in the city and in the suburbs, and unfortunately it’s not going away anytime soon.

“Priority number one, we are out to save lives, heroin kills more people in Chicago than any other drug,” said Dennis Wichern.

Wichern, a DEA Special Agent in charge, said nationally last year that 8300 people died from a heroin overdose.

He said that it’s mainly coming from Mexico, up interstate 55 and straight to Chicago.

Then when it gets to the city, it spreads to the suburbs.

“Every three days somebody dies in one of the collar counties around Chicago because of heroin,” Wichern said.

He also said the face of the modern day heroin user has changed, and he cites a Roosevelt University study.

“The average heroin user is now a suburban Caucasian that will come into Chicago to obtain their heroin and then go back out to suburbia,” Wichern added.

On Sunday, Kane County Sheriff’s Deputies intercepted a heroin package at the Aurora Transportation Center, and followed 26-year-old Avran Lechuga to an Aurora home.

There, they found more than $7500 in cash and a handgun.

Lechuga is now facing felony drug charges.

Law enforcement said this package of heroin was most likely staying in the Chicago area.

Wichern said heroin has always been here, but now business is booming.

“The Mexicans down in Mexico have gotten better at producing it, and at the same time you look at the studies, the doctors have given out too much painkillers,” Wichern said. “We just have to look at what we use as Americans”

Lechuga is being held on a five million dollar bond and will appear in court next month.

If you or anyone you know is battling an addiction, call this number: 1 800-234-0420.

Filed under: General Problems