By Mark Scott
Buffalo, New York – The FBI said it has dismantled a violent criminal drug ring operating in Buffalo.
Twenty-three people were taken into custody Thursday with more arrests pending.
Among those facing charges is 46-year-old Frankie Johnson, the alleged leader of a marijuana distribution ring. FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Peter Ahearn said the ring was quite sophisticated.
Ahearn also said the houses were all painted a bright blue to make them stand out. He said the ring was doing about 120-thousand dollars a week and that it was particularly violent...
Also arrested Thursday was Buffalo police detective Andres Ortiz, who is accused of assisting Johnson in his criminal enterprise.
More than 300 local and federal officers, including five SWAT teams, searched a dozen houses, and confiscated six handguns and an undetermined amount of cash and drugs.