Officials: Alleged Bloods Gang Members Arrested In NYC Gun Trafficking Bust

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Ten people, including alleged members and associates of the Bloods street gang, have been charged in connection with a gun trafficking bust in New York City.

Investigators seized 93 illegal guns -- ranging from .22 caliber pistols to assault weapons -- in the undercover investigation, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Wednesday.

"11 of the guns had their serial numbers filed off and that is only done when you intend to use a gun in a crime," Schneiderman told reporters, including WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.

Some of the guns were purchased in Port Chester, N.Y. and Stamford, Conn. and transported to the city on Metro-North trains, officials said.  The weapons were then resold for "several times their original price."

"These allegations lay out a disturbing, but all too familiar pattern of multi-state gun trafficking and violence, with New York State in the crosshairs," Schneiderman said. "We will remain vigilant in our efforts to stop the flow of illegal arms into New York, and prevent the deadly crimes that often result."

"Make no mistake, illegal guns sold in our communities will eventually destroy someone's family," Bratton said.

The investigation began last summer and was dubbed "Operation Redrum," after the nickname of alleged ringleader William "Redrum" Soler, who also goes by "Wobbles," officials said.

The 33-year-old Soler, who officials said weighs more than 500 pounds, and Devon "Burnz" Fairburn, 27, of Brooklyn allegedly ran a Bloods gang faction, known as "Redside," operating in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester County, and parts of Maine, according to court papers.

The defendants face felony weapons charges.

Soler and another man face conspiracy charges for allegedly plotting to kill a rival gang member. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

The case is unrelated, but Schneiderman pointed out an illegally purchased gun was used in the murder of NYPD Officer Brian Moore over the weekend.

"This is the way criminals get guns that they use to murder police officers and to murder other New Yorkers," Schneiderman told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Al Jones.

Also on Wednesday, Sen. Charles Schumer called on the federal government to crack down on the so-called "iron pipeline," which traffics illegal guns from southern states into New York City.