The raids took place on Wednesday just after 6 a.m. in Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights in Manhattan, and one location in New Jersey.
The suspects, many with ties to gangs, were caught when NYPD officers and federal agents executed search warrants on Broadway, on Amsterdam Avenue, and on West 174th Street in coordinated actions.
The officers, along with agents with Homeland Security Investigations and Secret Service, were targeting the drug trafficking ring.
One Washington Heights native said she knew some of the suspects.
"We all grew up together, went to school, they good people," Nicky Sanches said. "They were making their money, everybody got to eat."
Charges against multiple people are expected to be unsealed in federal court in Lower Manhattan later Wednesday. They are expected to face federal drug and firearms charges.
On Broadway, law enforcement entered Superman Barber Shop, which allegedly had illegal gambling in the basement.
Meanwhile, law enforcement used heavy machinery to close West 174th Street. Agents could be seen entering and exiting an apartment building.
Searches were also ongoing at a juice bar and smoke shop around the corner on Amsterdam Avenue.
One federal official said the response was warranted due to the fact that they were looking for "really bad people."
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