Police Arrest 53 In Brooklyn Drug Raid

Police arrested 53 people on drug and other charges during a raid on the Cypress Hills Housing Project in the East New York section of Brooklyn yesterday, officials said.

Dealers from three gangs divided territory and mostly sold crack cocaine and heroin, an inspector in the narcotics bureau, Steven Powers, said. The investigation began in 2005 after residents told police that drug dealing was on the rise.

Police conducted an earlier sting operation at the housing project in 2002.

"We're hoping that the drug dealers themselves realize that if they come back, we'll come back," Mr. Powers said. "But some of the young ones, they pick up where their older brothers, cousins left off."