Drug busts: 495 arrested in Colombian hunt and, in Boston area, 52 named in heroin ring

February 5, 1982

More than 175 heavily armed local, state, and federal law enforcement officials smashed a large drug trafficking ring that reportedly moved 100 ounces of heroin a week, worth $250,000, throughout Greater Boston.

Officials said arrest warrants were obtained for 52 people in several Boston-area communities. Forty of those were said to be involved in a heroin trafficking ring with strong New York connections.

A Drug Enforcement Administration official said the arrests were the culmination of a one-year investigation. Police also seized drug paraphernalia, pistols, sawed-off shutguns, two planes, and six vehicles)