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NYPD to Discuss Astoria Houses Drug Bust at Community Meeting

By Jeanmarie Evelly | September 14, 2016 3:52pm
 An NYPD squad car outside the Astoria Houses.
An NYPD squad car outside the Astoria Houses.
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DNAinfo/Trevor Kapp

ASTORIA — The NYPD will hold a public meeting to debrief residents about the recent drug bust at the Astoria Houses, in which a dozen people were arrested for selling narcotics and guns in and around the NYCHA development, officials said.

The meeting will take place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Astoria Houses Community Center at 4-05 Astoria Blvd., where officials will offer more details on the investigation and its ongoing efforts to combat crime in the area, according to the 114th Precinct.

"Astoria House have been besieged in recent years by gang and drug related violence, including homicides and a number of nonfatal shootings," a police notice about the meeting reads.

"This is the latest in our increasing and on-going efforts to arrest gangs and crews who carry weapons, deal drugs, or commit violence as well as instill fear in the residence of the Astoria Houses and surrounding neighborhoods."

Last week's arrests were the result of an undercover investigation at the 22-building Astoria Houses by the Queens District Attorney's office and NYPD’s Queens Narcotics Division, officials said.

The 12 suspects arrested in the bust — three of them identified as alleged gang members — are accused of selling crack, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and guns to undercover officers 98 times during the course of the year-long sting, according to the DA's office.

Deputy Inspector Peter Fortune, who heads the 114th Precinct, said Thursday night's meeting is open to all community members and aims to keep residents informed as well as offer access to programs and services.

"We want to follow up with the community, let them know exactly what happened," he said.