Family Ran Major Drug Ring Out Of Queens Park: DA

QUEENS, NY — A family-run drug ring centered on a Queens park peddled cocaine and fentanyl-faced heroin across the borough and into the suburbs, prosecutors said.

Suspected ringleader James "Pops" Andrews, 50, is among 11 people arraigned on drug charges after sweeping busts last week in Queens, Suffolk County and Yonkers, authorities said.

Andrews roped his wife, girlfriend and brothers into the drug ring that authorities said ran out of Major Mark Park in Jamaica.

"This type of 'family business' will simply not pay," said Melinda Katz, district attorney for Queens.

A 15-month probe dubbed "On The Mark" led to the arrests last week, authorities said.

Cops conducted 26 undercover buys of heroin and cocaine totaling $4,000 during the investigation, in addition to seizing several firearms including an AR-15, prosecutors said.

All the heroin contained some fentanyl, officials said.

Investigators also recorded suspects on wiretaps talking about buying and selling drugs, holding guns and committing violence to protect their place of "business," authorities said.

The probe ended with search warrants being served at seven homes and three vehicles, from which 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl-laced heroin, more than 10,000 glassines of heroin, $141,000 in cash and more drugs and guns were seized, prosecutors said.