Cops busted 45 suspected drug dealers and users during a months-long Queens crackdown that also netted weapons and cocaine, authorities said yesterday.
The crackdown had been going on since late last year and culminated with the arrest of James “Wall” Corley earlier this month.
Corley, 51, was a key figure in the infamous Supreme Team gang, which was a major player in the crack epidemic that tore apart New York in the 1980s. Remaining members of that gang have morphed into today’s Jamaica-based Southside Bloods, cops said.
The Supreme Team was tied to the 1988 murder of NYPD Officer Eddie Byrne, slain while he guarded a witness’ home in a patrol car. Corley’s drug-related arrest had no connection to Byrne’s murder, but cops were pleased to bring him down.
“While Corley was not charged in the murder of Eddie Byrne, generations of police officers will take no small satisfaction in the fact that an associate of his killers has been brought to justice,” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
The arrests included 25 gang members and dealers and 19 users, police said. Another suspect fell into both categories.
Cops seized 1.5 kilos of cocaine, more than 50 decks of heroin, marijuana, $70,000 in cash, four handguns and a submachine gun.
They also seized three machines that can be used to expel liquid from drugs so they can be packaged into bricks.