Tribune reporter

Dubbing their five-month investigation "Operation Sugar Magnolia," Chicago police dealt a severe blow to a drug ring that has plagued the Uptown neighborhood and is believed to be behind one murder, officials said Saturday.

Police said the recent arrests of six men — another four remained at-large Saturday — closed a $500,000-per-year drug business and took a slaying suspect off the street.

Brayant Rogers, 27, of the 7100 block of South Harvard Avenue was ordered held without bail on murder charges this month. He is accused of shooting and killing Brian Green, 23, and wounding another man Jan. 4 in a van in the 4500 block of North Magnolia Avenue, police said. An undercover officer witnessed that shooting, police said.

Police said the drug ring was also responsible for other violent crimes near Magnolia and Wilson avenues.

A second suspect, Wilbur Jackson, 31, of the 4400 block of North Magnolia Avenue, is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, a charge stemming from a November shooting in the 5900 block of North Ridge Avenue, police said.

Three men appeared in court Saturday:

•Roy Orr, 25, of the 700 block of West 76th Street was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

Marcus Davis, 25, of the 4400 block of North Clifton Avenue was ordered held on $150,000 bail.

Omari Robinson, 19, of the 2900 block of West Touhy Avenue was ordered held on $50,000 bail.

Markus Moore, 29, of the 4700 block of North Monticello Avenue has also been arrested.

All the suspects are charged with delivering drugs.

dhinkel@tribune.com