News Release
December 15, 2005
Contact: DEA Public Affairs
Number: 202-307-7977

ASAC JAMES HUNT, Drug Enforcement Administration, MICHAEL GARCIA, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, WILLIAM MCMAHON, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and RAYMOND KELLY, Police Commissioner of the New York City Police Department at One Police Plaza, New York City.
ASAC JAMES HUNT, Drug Enforcement Administration, MICHAEL GARCIA, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, WILLIAM MCMAHON, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and RAYMOND KELLY, Police Commissioner of the New York City Police Department at One Police Plaza, New York City.

Operation Greenlight Cleans Up Co-Op City, Bronx, NY

DEC 15--JOHN P. GILBRIDE , United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Special Agent-in-Charge, MICHAEL GARCIA , United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, WILLIAM MCMAHON , Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and RAYMOND KELLY, Police Commissioner of the New York City Police Department announce a series of arrests of fourteen individuals for violating federal firearms and narcotics laws.

The arrests come after a 12-month undercover operation initiated by the ATF Joint Firearms Task Force working with members of the NYPD 45 th Precinct Squad. In March of 2005, DEA joined this investigation. The investigation resulted in the illegal purchase of firearms and crack cocaine. On December 15 th 2005, federal arrest warrants from the Southern District of New York were executed for fourteen (14) individuals for the narcotics and firearm violations. Today, DEA along with ATF agents, U.S. Deputy Marshals- Southern District of New York, New York Police Detectives, New York State Troopers and 4 Mount Vernon Police Officers were assigned to this takedown. In addition, the NYPD Aviation Unit and NYPD Patrol Personnel from the 45 th Precinct provided additional resource assistance.

Special Agent in Charge John Gilbride, Drug Enforcement Administration stated; “The Drug Enforcement Administration is committed to working with our federal, state and local counterparts to identify and dismantle drug trafficking organizations at every level. This violent organization operated on the streets of New York City, and as a result of these arrests, the Co-Op City section of the Bronx is a safer place to live free of crime and violence created by drug trafficking.”

“Today’s arrests were made possible by diligent investigative efforts and supported by information we received from the public through Project Safe Neighborhoods”, said William G. McMahon, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York office. “ATF is committed to combating firearms violence and today’s arrests are another example of the Joint Firearms Task Forces’ commitment to make our communities safe.”

The government’s cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anjan Sahni and Chris Garcia.