Undercover cops bought more than 3,200 glassines of heroin from an accused dealer over 10 months before busting a drug ring, officials say.
The takedown that kicked off in June 2016 was announced in a joint press release from the NYPD and the Staten Island District Attorney Tuesday.
Officials said the operation was dubbed 'Southern Comfort' because the majority of the drug sales happened on the South Shore of Staten Island.
Seven men and women were indicted for various charges relating to the bust, law enforcement said.
The defendants were named as Anthony Olsovi, Steven Lanigan, Denise Kurtz, Kristen Colon, Steven Maiurro, Christopher Arena, and Tanya Cardillo.
Officials said Olsovi was the "main target".
The 45-year-old was accused of selling more than 3,200 glassines of heroin to NYPD undercover officers over the course of the investigation.
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“We are committed to going after the drug dealers and dismantling their distribution networks in order to disrupt the flow of heroin in our communities,” district attorney Michael McMahon said.
The bulk of the heroin was being transported from New Jersey, law enforcement said.
