7 indicted in Detroit-area heroin distribution ring

US attorney says Michigan heroin deaths have tripled in past 10 years

DETROIT – A federal indictment charges seven Detroit-area men with conspiracy to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade announced Thursday.

Albert Street, 34, Floyd Shaw, 20, Chris Coleman, 38, Andre Little, 37, Devon Street (click to view photo), 21, James White, 22, and Carlos Cozart, 24, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Cozart is from Hamtramck. The other defendants are from Detroit.

Coleman and Shaw also were charged with distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury. The victims involved survived the overdoses because they were revived by paramedics.

"The victims only survived because paramedics were able to revive them using Narcan," said McQuade.

Little also was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

McQuade said five of the men are in custody while two remain at large -- Little and Shaw. She said the five in custody were scheduled to appear in duty court Thursday afternoon.

McQuade: Michigan heroin deaths tripled since 2005

"In Michigan, heroin-related deaths have tripled in the last 10 years. Admissions for treatment for heroin addiction in our state went from 6,500 in 2002 to 13,000 in 2013," said McQuade. "And already this year in Wayne County we have had 282 heroin-related deaths. It's an alarming problem and we have put a lot of resources into trying to stop it."

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Detroit police Chief James Craig said he knows about the dangers of heroin all too well.

"In my last stint as Cincinnati's police chief, I understand very clearly the issue with heroin and the pipeline from Kentucky, Ohio and Detroit," said Chief Craig.

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