New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Queens District
Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced the arrest of 43 people
connected to six drug organizations based in Howard Beach, Queens. They
are charged with selling large quantities of illegal narcotics and
controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, crystal
meth, ketamine, steroids, quaaludes, valium, and vicodin.

Police also executed 16 search warrants, which led to the seizure of
$147,000 in cash, 10 luxury cars, four rifles, and three handguns.

During the 12-month investigation, the Department discovered that each
ring was making profits of between $500,000 and more than $1 million a
year. In addition, at least three members had links to the Gambino
crime family, including Christopher Carneglia, whose father, Charlie
Carneglia, is serving 50 years in prison for murder and racketeering.

Commissioner Kelly said: "During the investigation we learned that
these groups dealt in a wide variety of drugs, and could move large
quantities. They had money and status, and seemed to get away with
anything. Today these men are behind bars. Their days of drug dealing
and easy money are over. Their crews have been wiped out. I want to
commend the undercover officers who once again put their lives on the
line to keep us all safe."

District Attorney Brown said: "The defendants are alleged to have sold
illegal drugs and controlled substances and made profits of over $1
million a year. Some crew members are alleged to have led vapid,
self-indulgent lifestyles in expensive restaurants, night clubs, health
clubs and tanning salons and may have thought that they were living on
east street when in fact they were already under investigation and
heading to prison."

The 43 individuals are being charged with criminal sale of a controlled
substance, criminal sale of a firearm, grand larceny, money laundering,
and conspiracy. Some face sentences of up to life in prison.