Loaded firearms, including ghost guns, were seized along with a kilo of cocaine Wednesday during court-authorized raids at three Far Rockaway locations.
Photo courtesy of the DA’s office
Members of a Far Rockaway drug and gun trafficking operation were indicted following a six-month investigation that included a series of undercover drug buys and the tracking of several defendants’ phones resulting in the seizure of 10 firearms, including ghost guns, and a kilo of cocaine, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.
An additional four defendants are being prosecuted on weapons and drug paraphernalia charges in connection to the operation following the execution of search warrants.
“Long and complex investigations are essential to getting guns and drugs off our streets,” Katz said. “The resulting seizures and prosecutions are one of the most important reasons why we are seeing significant declines in major crimes.”
According to the charges, in August 2023, a joint investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s office and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division was launched into the sale of firearms and narcotics in the Far Rockaway area. A total of 16 buys of cocaine and drugs took place involving an undercover officer and five of the defendants resulting in the seizure of drugs with a street value of $50,000.
One of the defendants was seen on surveillance video selling drugs in the lobby of the Gateway Apartments housing complex located at 15-02 Mott Ave. in the Bayswater section of Far Rockaway.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, law enforcement officials executed search warrants at three residences in Far Rockaway, arrested the five indicted defendants and four additional defendants and seized a cache of weapons including a loaded 40-caliber firearm, a loaded 9 mm Taurus, and a loaded, defaced Glock 19 with a high-capacity magazine.
“The charges stemming from our methodical investigation demonstrate the NYPD’s unwavering…
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