Two of the nine alleged Black Gangster Disciples arrested in connection with Tuesday’s raid on a major crack cocaine distribution ring are former NIU students, one of whom has several criminal cases pending, including three felony charges.

Henry Levon Mack, 23, and Rashon Williams, 21, were both arrested Tuesday in North Central Narcotics Task Force raids at three separate DeKalb locations.

The raids took place at Motel 6, 1116 W. Lincoln Hwy., 833 W. Ridge and 920 Greenbrier Drive. About 60 task force agents were involved in the bust at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Mack is regarded as the ring leader of the $17,000-per-day crack operation, with the highest bond at $75,000, police said. Mack is suspected of setting up the drug distribution network in DeKalb. Evidence of his case, and the eight others, goes before a grand jury at 9:30 a.m. Friday in the DeKalb County Courthouse.

Mack was charged with unlawful criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Williams was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance for two crack sales to an unidentified woman on Oct. 25 and 26. His bond was set at $25,000.

Mack attended NIU for two years between the fall of 1990 and fall of 1992. He was arrested for several crimes while living in Stevenson Towers South.

Williams attended NIU between the fall of 1990 and the spring of 1992. His last known address is 920 Greenbrier, Apt. 4, one of the three raid locations.

Among the cases pending in DeKalb County against Mack, which occurred while he was an NIU student, include unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (cocaine), criminal trespassing into a residence and possession of stolen property, all of which are felonies.

In September 1992, Mack was charged with trespassing in a residence at Varsity Square Apartments, 1212 Varsity Blvd., coupled with the drug charge.

In June 1992, Mack was arrested for possession of a stolen stereo system.

Mack was released on $10,000 bond on the drug and stolen property charges. He was released on $5,000 on two counts of misdemeanor batteries.

In January of this year, Mack was arrested for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Mack allegedly struck the victim in the face with an aluminum baseball bat, breaking the victim’s nose and jaw.

NIU Judicial Director Larry Bolles said there was little the university could do to Mack since the cases have not yet come to trial. According to Bolles, Mack was a good student who didn’t get into much trouble on the university level.

Bolles said he did have concerns about Mack’s previous arrests and information about drug sales from other NIU students, and contacted DeKalb Police, who said they were already working on the case.

DeKalb Police Chief Donald Berke said at Tuesday’s press conference that the department received several complaints about drug-related activity, but police couldn’t release details of the investigation.

About 30 Black Gangster Disciple members were arrested this summer in a drug raid in Rockford. Berke said DeKalb has seen a rise in gang activity since the time of the Rockford bust.

Berke described street gangs like the Black Gangster Disciples as very territorial. He said if they are forced from one area, they have a tendency to move to another and set up a similar operation.

Seven other people were arrested on drug-related charges in Tuesday’s raids.

The Ridge Drive raid resulted in the arrest of Dontrel L. Hale, 22, Chicago. Capries L. Mack, 20, Chicago; Bobby Hill, 31, Chicago; Michael Ayers, 20, Chicago and Jeff Mack, 26, Chicago were all arrested during the raid at Motel 6.

Officials did not reveal the names of two juveniles arrested or the location of their arrest.

A warrant is out for the arrest of Tracee R. Jackson, 20, DeKalb, in connection with the crack cocaine ring. The suspect is still at large.