Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Busted LI Drug Ring Ripped Off By NYC Drug Dealers
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 3, 2011
Modified Feb 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 3, 2011
Modified Feb 3, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Suffolk police busted 18 members of a cocaine trafficking ring which included Bloods members, counterfeit money, backstabbing, and fake cocaine made from sheetrock and baking soda. Police seized about $16,000 to $18,000 worth of cocaine, several thousand dollars worth of counterfeit $20 bills, black and white hats and T-shirts labeled "Police," and a stun gun disguised as a cell phone. "The lifeblood of gangs is the illicit narcotics trade. The profits they generate contribute to other illegal activity...This is not just the sale and distribution of cocaine. It's far more than that," District Attorney Thomas Spota said ominously.
Five of the suspects were identified as Bloods members; two handguns found on the men were linked to shootings in the LI area. Police believe the gang had planned to disguise themselves as police to commit robberies. As for the 26 ounces of fake cocaine, authorities believe the ring had used $16,000 in counterfeit cash to buy the drugs from NYC dealers; but unknowingly, they were duped by the other dealers. "While they thought they were ripping off the drug dealers in New York City, the people in New York City were ripping them off. There's no honor among thieves," said DA Spota. NYC drug dealers: still the savviest crooks around!
Tagged
cocaine
drug dealers
drug ring
long island
suffolk
trafficking ring
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .