For the second time this week, the NYPD has broken up another drug ring.
Early this morning officers of the New York City Narcotics Prosecutor arrested six heroin and crack-cocaine dealers in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, authorities say.
The ring sold the drugs from apartments, public hallways and stairwells inside two building at the complex at Albany Houses, a New York City Housing Authority Development.
This morning officers executed search warrants at 11 apartments inside 162 Troy and 180 Troy Ave. The raids allowed officers to seize small amounts of heroin, crack and marijuana, as well as a large quantity of drug packaging material and paraphernalia, authorities say.
The raid also yielded a handgun and a loaded magazine inside one of the apartments at 162 Troy Ave. Authorities note that dealers had a self-referral system that distributed clients among the dealers in the complex. Clients were charged $10 for bags of heroin and crack.
Dealers branded the heroin glassines sold with names like Carabela, Now & Later, Gucci and Power.
“Undercover officers made dozens of buys from the dealers during the probe, which began in the summer of 2009 and was spearheaded by the NYPD’s Brooklyn North Narcotics Division,” said New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan.
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Investigators credit an observant officer who noticed a pattern of drug dealing at the Albany Houses. Recently a series of shootings at the complex earlier this year drew increased police presence to the six building complex.
Brennan notes that during one exchange, a subject of the investigation was videotaped conducting a drug sale with his preschool-aged child in tow.
Authorities note that six defendants were arrested on felony drug charges. Of those six was previously indicted by a grand jury.
Several additional arrests were referred to the Kings County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution on misdemeanor marijuana and weapons possession charges.
The Special Narcotics Prosecutor is coordinating with NYCHA, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD to conduct community outreach efforts and address drug issues in the buildings.
