Correctional Officer Among 10 Arrested in NYC, Long Island Gang Bust: Sources

A correctional officer was among 35 people arrested Wednesday in a gang and drug crackdown in New York City and Long Island, law enforcement sources tell NBC 4 New York.

They're charged with allegedly selling cocaine and heroin in Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. and Police Commissioner William Bratton say the suspects are being charged for their alleged roles in two separate drug operations.

A 119-count indictment unsealed Thursday includes charges of operating as a major drug trafficker.

Authorities say most of the suspects were members of the Trinitarios street gang. According to prosecutors, they sold cocaine and heroin to dozens of customers every day and made between $10 and $400 for each transaction. Others are charged with delivering the drugs.

One of those arrested was a correction officer who worked on Riker's Island.

Law enforcement seized hundreds of glassines of heroin labeled "Coca Cola" and "Sweet Dreams" during a search executed at the gang's alleged stash houses in Queens and some of the suspects' homes Wednesday.

"We've seen an incredible growth of heroin use on Long Island and in Queens where this organization affects, and this is going to save a lot of people," said Erik Rosenblatt of Homeland Security Investigations, one of the investigative agencies in the case. 

Vance says most of the drug sales happened in apartment building lobbies or outside near two elementary schools.The suspects were scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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