WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Twenty people have been charged with conspiring to distribute large quantities of heroin and crack cocaine in Bronx, New York, the US Department of Justice said in a press release.
“As alleged, the twenty defendants charged today were part of a dangerous drug trafficking crew that terrorized a Bronx neighborhood by peddling heroin and crack cocaine in apartment buildings with families and children, just a block from a public school,” US Attorney Preet Bharara said on Thursday.
According to the indictment, six of the defendants were also charged with possessing firearms and were involved in a recent shooting.
Fifteen suspects are in federal custody and will be prosecuted in Manhattan, New York, by the Narcotics Unit of the US Attorney's Office.
The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.