NOPD arrests 15 in undercover drug bust - FOX 8 News WVUE-TV

A covert narcotics investigation in New Orleans that took years to develop has paid off for police.

The NOPD says 15 people were arrested. Many of them are believed to be part of a gang known as the 89er's or T-Blocc.

NOPD Supt. Ronal Serpas says this investigation is the result of good police work and concerned citizens who refused to let drug dealers take over their neighborhood. For years, police say, citizens continued to call Crimestoppers and the 5th District station to complain about drug dealing at the intersection of North Tonti and Almonaster.

The NOPD released surveillance pictures Friday. Police started investigating back in September of 2012 after receiving a federal grant.

They say the drug dealers had no regard for children in the area or people who lived nearby. They even sold drugs in the rain, every day from early morning till night.

Chief Serpas says 15 people were using that corner to sell drugs. Seven of them are believed to be members of the 89er's gang.

Two people are still wanted.  Police are looking for Gerald Chambers Sr. and Eddie Dokes.

Chief Serpas says all of the people involved in this operation have a lengthy rap sheet.

"Where are the consequences for these men who use drugs and weapons as their business?"asked Serpas at a news conference Friday. "They don't want to be rehabilitated. They don't want to go get training and do something positive in this community. They chose to be drug dealers, they chose to be gun-toters, they chose to put children at risk. When will this end? It will end because we are never going to stop going after these people."

Chief Serpas says, though this investigation is not over, he does believe that the NOPD busted every member of the 89er's gang.

Friday's announcement is one of several recent efforts to crack down on suspected gang members. Just last week, the District Attorney's office issued indictments against 20 people in the "3NG" gang on charges including racketeering and murder.

Last month, the DA's office announced a 51-count indictment against 15 members of the 110er's. City leaders say that gang is responsible for 15 murders since 2008.