NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced during a news conference Wednesday the results of a gun trafficking take-down ring that transported firearms between Queens and Virginia.
The 10-month weapons investigation included at least three different law enforcement agencies in two states and discovered four people that were part of the so-called Iron Pipeline that ferries highly dangerous, illegal weapons.
The four alleged gun traffickers, a woman and three men are in custody in Queens.
"If you plan on trafficking guns in this county, Queens is closed for business," Katz said.
"What you see before you are 23 weapons, obtained illegally," she said of the display of firearms that were laid on a table.
Katz noted that one weapon, a TEC-9 semiautomatic pistol, which had its serial number defaced had been purchased undercover along with a 21-round magazine.
"Make no mistake," Katz said. "This weapon is meant to take out the most lives possible in the shortest amount of time."
NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison joined Katz and said that the gun ring was part of a pipeline distribution network connecting Richmond, Virginia, where the guns were obtained, to New York City, where they were sold.
Jessica "Cess Milla" Heyliger, 35, of Jamaica, Queens; Laquan Benson, 36, of Richmond, VA; Mitchell "Mitxh" Myree, 26, of Jamaica, Queens; and Sharod "Yayo" King, 32, of Woodside, Queens were arrested as a result of the investigations.
The DA alleges that Heyliger was the principal dealer of the weapons, Benson was her main supplier and Myree was an alleged backup supplier.
King was allegedly Heyliger's salesperson.
All four face charges of criminal sale of a firearm, conspiracy, and criminal possession of a weapon.
If convicted, Heylinger, Benson and King face up to 25 years in prison each. Myree faces up to 15 years.