Feds arrest 25 in A.C. drug gang sweep

More than 300 law enforcement officers rounded up 25 alleged members of an Atlantic City street gang Tuesday in a series of raids authorities said were aimed at smashing a violent heroin trafficking ring in the gambling resort.

Three fugitives remained at large and a six other suspects already were in custody before the predawn operation, officials said.

All 34 alleged members of what is known as the Dirty Block Crime Fam were charged in a 225-page federal complaint with one count each of conspiracy to distribute more than one kilo of heroin.

The criminal complaint identified the gang's two leaders as Mykal Derry, 32, and Tyrone Ellis, 31.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said Dirty Block was considered Atlantic City's predominant street gang, operating mainly from the Stanley Holmes Village housing project, the Schoolhouse Apartments and the Carver Apartments.

"They have repeatedly used violence to maintain their market and to deter rivals," Fishman said at a news conference in Camden.

He noted that Derry and his 22-year-old brother Malik Derry were arrested last month in the fatal shooting of a rival dealer, Tyquinn James, 25..

Official said the gang had distributed thousands of packets of heroin with an estimated street value of at least $1 million.

Fishman said gang leaders relied on women to obtain residences, cars and cell phones to "insulate" them from scrutiny.

Junior members, called "youngins," acted as street dealers, provided weapons and carried out "acts of violence at the request of a leader or enforcer," the complaint said.

FBI agents conducted the raids in a joint operation with State Police and Atlantic City police.

The criminal complaint said law enforcement agencies have been meeting since late 2010 "in an attempt to coordinate efforts to address the increasing number of felony crimes of violence associated with Dirty Block."

The resulting investigation, including wire taps, led to Tuesday's roundup, Fishman said.

Atlantic City Police Ernest Jubilee said the gang was menacing presence in the neighborhoods where it operated.

"The law abiding residents [of those neighborhoods] can expect an improvement in their quality of life," he said.

The charge against each defendant carries a maximum life term and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, Fishman said.