NEW YORK — NEW YORK — Authorities say a gang stashed guns in mailboxes, storm drains and stoops and used them in turf battles with rivals in central Harlem.
The Manhattan district attorney and police said Friday they dismantled a gang responsible for shootings and other violence. Some 19 people have been indicted on conspiracy charges. Some also face attempted murder and other counts.
DA Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says that while some gangs seek weapons to keep others out of their drug-dealing territory, this one apparently just wanted to fight over turf for turf's sake.
Eighteen defendants have been arrested and pleaded not guilty. One is at large.
The arrests come about two weeks after five men were convicted of running a violent drug gang, also in central Harlem.