....February 12, 4:43 PM
	54 Arrested In Queensbridge Drug Raid Queensbridge is the nation’s largest public housing complex. By Michael Lanza Police arrested 54 people at Queensbridge Houses last Thursday, concluding a six-month drug investigation at the nation’s largest public housing complex. Authorities said the raid netted 36 major offenders, whose charges range from criminal possession of a weapon to criminal sale of a controlled substance. The remaining 18 faced lesser charges including possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct. Undercover officers allegedly recovered two 9mm handguns, a .38 caliber revolver, a ballistic vest, cocaine valued at $22,220, heroin valued at $6,890 and marijuana valued at $2,035. Police claim that investigators bought drugs on 197 separate occasions over the duration of the six-month sting at the massive 26-building complex. “This initiative is yet another step in our continuing campaign to stop drug-dealing and drug-based violence in public housing complexes,” Queens DA Richard Brown said. “Through the use of various investigative techniques, including undercover police officers posing as narcotics customers, our investigation has identified three separate drug organizations operating out of the Queensbridge Houses. One of the defendants is accused along with his mother and brother of running a one-stop shop offering cocaine, heroin, marijuana and firearms for sale. These brazen drug dealers mistakenly thought that they were operating under wraps. In fact, however, they were under investigation and marked for arrest and prosecution.” Police are now seeking 25 additional suspects wanted on various charges related to the investigation. Brown added that 110 of the drug sales were conducted outside the nearby Western Queens Nursery School. “The nexus between illegal drugs and violence is inescapable, and the Police Department is committed to suppressing both in Queens and wherever they occur to jeopardize the public safety,” New York Police Department Commissioner Ray Kelly said. The joint investigation began last June as a means to identify drug trafficking organizations operating in the housing projects and to apprehend their members and associates, prosecutors said. The Queensbridge Houses, managed by the New York City Housing Authority, is home to approximately 6,907 low to moderate-income residents. Major offenders arrested during the raid face up to 15 years in prison. Minor offenders face up to a year in prison and fines up to $100.