Federal prosecutors say they've charged 27 defendants in a drug conspiracy that led from Chicago to Milwaukee and its western suburbs. It's blamed for contributing to five heroin overdose deaths.

U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic of Milwaukee says four deaths in Waukesha County and one in Milwaukee County were directly related to heroin sold by the ring.

According to Biskupic, members of the group traveled to Chicago every two weeks to buy heroin, which was distributed to Milwaukee-area defendants and then to drug dealers from Waukesha.

Among those indicted are 19 people from suburban areas, including six each from Pewaukee and the city of Waukesha.

The charges carry from 20 years to life in prison.

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