A deliberate, class-based, execution of a group of economically useless citizens under the guise of an offensive against narcotics.

So says, David Simon, creator of The Wire.

In this frankly brilliant film currently on inlayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pzz69/Storyville_20122013_The_House_I_Live_In/