16 charged in NYC gun trafficking case (NY)

[Bruce Jackson]

http://online.wsj.com/article/APac94712ca37b4d9fbfb117a409dabe94.html

http://tinyurl.com/cocxfyl

16 charged in NYC gun trafficking case
Associated Press

NEW YORK — Two New York gun trafficking networks were dismantled and
16 people indicted in a sting that netted more than 100 illegal
firearms including assault rifles and semi-automatic pistols, police
and prosecutors said Friday.

The suspected leaders of the two operations arrested on Thursday and
Friday were charged with criminal sale of a firearm and other crimes
that could put them away for life if convicted. Three of the suspects
were still at large.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Mitchell "Mickey" Collins, 64,
and Dario Wynerman, 21, ran two separate operations and sold dozens of
illegal weapons. Wynerman was arraigned and held without bail; his
attorney didn't return a call seeking comment Friday. Collins had not
yet been arraigned late Friday and was being held. It wasn't clear if
he had an attorney.

Kelly said the Collins operation began last year and he and three
other suspects sold a total of 88 firearms to undercover officers.
Kelly said most of the guns were bought in pawn shops in South
Carolina, then resold in Harlem. Some were reported stolen but it was
not clear whether they were stolen or straw purchases.

The second operation began last November, and most of the suspects
were between ages 17 and 23, Kelly said. Wynerman's operation sold 41
guns — and a bullet-resistant vest to an undercover officer, Kelly
said. The other suspects are young men involved in street crews.

"It's unusual to see individuals as old as Mickey Collins still
engaged in criminal activity. Regrettably, it's not unusual for young
men to get involved in violent street crews," Kelly said.

Both operations started after detectives learned that guns were being
sold illegally on the street.

"These are the most significant gun trafficking investigations in
Manhattan in recent history, both in terms of the number of illegal
gun traffickers taken into custody, and the sheer volume of illegal
guns removed from the streets," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus
R. Vance Jr.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it was important to remember that illegal
guns remain a problem nationwide and he urged the presidential
candidates to address the issue.

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