Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said the agency’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) unit recently helped execute a wiretap investigation leading to 32 drug and gambling arrests.
HSI’s New York division worked with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in fostering the investigation, which uncovered a large-scale alleged cocaine and heroin distribution network centered in the East Village and a related gambling operation in the West Village.
“Those arrested are not just alleged to have been involved in selling highly addictive drugs on city streets, but they are also connected with a sophisticated underground gambling operation right here in Manhattan,” Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York, said. “As we continue to work jointly in these operations, HSI and NYPD are able to combine intel and resources to take down criminal networks like this one.”
The investigation began with cocaine and heroin trafficking, ultimately leading police to a sophisticated illegal gambling operation that catered to a clientele of New York City professionals, officials said. They gained clarity regarding the interrelated narcotics and gambling schemes once the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the NYPD initiated the four-month wiretap investigation with assistance from HSI New York and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.