Violent Harlem Gang That Terrorized Neighborhood Dismantled

A gun and bullet

Glock, gun, bullet

By Jeff Mays and Shayna Jacobs

DNAinfo Staff

MANHATTAN — Prosecutors and cops dismantled a massive, violent gang in Harlem that has plagued the neighborhood, law enforcement sources said.

According to sources, more than a dozen people were arrested as part of the initiative by the Manhattan District Attorney's office and the NYPD.

The sources said that the suspects, many of whom were teens and in their 20s, were charged with conspiracy and face significant jail time.

Their names were not immediately available.

The arrests come on the heels of the conviction of the leaders of another violent gang based on 137th Street that enlisted former prep school student Afrika Owes to help them run guns.

Owes spent a summer in jail on a plea deal in the case.

Cops said that NYPD Narcotics investigators executed a search warrant in an apartment on West 129th Street, near Lenox Avenue, where the gang operated, at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.

There, investigators found marijuana, drug paraphernalia and two imitation pistols, according to police.

Six adults were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon disguised as a gun, criminal use of drug paraphernalia and criminal possession of marijuana, cops said.

It was not clear when or where the others were arrested.

Sources said the building on 129th Street has a history of drug trafficking and was known as Castle Greystone in the '80s because of heavy heroin and crack trafficking.

The gang, which operates under the names of "Goodfellas" and "The New Don," has been at the center of many shootings and disputes between the Lincoln and St. Nicholas Houses, according to sources.