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Authorities conducted a year-long undercover investigation in and around NYCHA’s Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City.
A year-long undercover investigation in and around NYCHA’s Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, has resulted in the arrest last week, of 22 individuals charged with drug and weapon charges.
DA Brown stated, “This investigation is another example of police and prosecutors working together to reduce drug dealing that too often plagues our neighborhoods. We are committed to continue to employ aggressive and innovative tactics to track down and prosecute drug dealers and other criminals who seek to terrorize our communities. It is imperative that we stop those who would flood our streets with drugs and lure our children into lives of crime.”
NYPD Commissioner Paul O’Neill said, “To keep driving crime and disorder down past already record lows in New York City, it is imperative that we identify and dismantle illegal narcotics organizations like this one.”
The Queensbridge Houses is the largest public housing development in New York City consisting of 96 six-story brick residential buildings located in Long Island City Queens. The 3,142-unit complex accommodates approximately 6,907 people and is contained within six blocks.
The investigation commenced in September 2017 and during the course of the investigation – which included extensive physical surveillance and undercover police officers posing as narcotics customers – 22 individuals have been charged with the sale (and possession) of narcotics – including heroin, cocaine and marijuana.
The defendants are variously charged with the crimes of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges.
In addition to the arrests, court-authorized search warrants were executed at nine locations within the Queensbridge Houses. A total of four handguns were seized during the course of the investigation.
