Inwood Gang Bust: [UPDATE] 9 Accused Dealers Appear in Court for Bail Hearings

INWOOD, NY — Ten alleged members of an Inwood street gang that was taken down this week for turning a stretch of Vermilyea Avenue into an open-air drug market appeared in court for bail hearings Friday. For Inwood news — including follow ups on the gang takedown — click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.

The accused gang members — Edward Adames, Tyreak Anderson, Alan Burgos, Jessie Contreras, Brian Espinal, Jahaciel Hernandez, Eddie Ocasio, Melvin Tineo, Jesse Collado — pleaded not guilty to various charges including criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy.

A spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney's office provided bail information for the defendants:

• Edward Adames - $20k bond/$10k cash.
• Tyreak Anderson - $150k bond/$100k cash.
• Alan Burgos – Released on his own recognizance.
• Jessie Contreras – Released on his own recognizance.
• Brian Espinal - $40k bond/$25k cash.
• Jahaciel Hernandez - $10k bond/$5k cash.
• Eddie Occasio - $100k bond/$50k cash.
• Melvin Tineo - $40k bond/$25k cash.
• Jesse Collado - $15k bond/$10k cash.

Twelve other members of the gang — including the brothers charged under the "drug kingpin" statute, Jose and Omar Luperon — will appear in court Jan. 13 for bail hearings.

The alleged gang members were arrested in a sweep Wednesday and are accused of selling cocaine in building lobbies and gated entrances of residential buildings on Vermilyea Avenue between West 204th and West 207th streets the DA said. In total, 32 people were charged but 11 were able to evade arrest Wednesday.

Wednesday's indictment was the result of a longterm investigation into Inwood's drug trafficking. Police wiretapped suspects' phones and bought drugs from them while posing as customers, according to the DA. The trafficking ring is believed to have operated from Aug. 29, 2015, to Dec. 26, 2016. Its members worked in shifts to sell drugs 24 hours a day on Vermilyea Avenue, during which time they made more than 100 crack cocaine sales, the DA said.

Patch will update this story as bail information is released.

See the full list of names for the 32 gang members accused of running an open-air crack cocaine marketplace in Inwood.

See Wednesday's report for the complete story on the Inwood street gang takedown.

Read the full indictment from the Manhattan District Attorney's office here:

Photo by Google Maps street view