C M SQ page 15 Y K
Assault weapons among 109 seized; cousins could face up to 25 years by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
A Queens grand jury has indicted three cousins, including a Bronx resident, on 575 counts including criminal sale of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon, conspiracy and money laundering. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, at a press conference Monday morning, said the arrests were the result of a seven-month investigation into gun trafficking that netted 109 weapons, 139 high-capacity magazines and 2,400 of rounds of ammunition. One undercover NYPD officer is being credited with purchasing 97 guns, including 17 assault weapons. Both physical and electronic surveillance were employed. Those arrested are Abdul Haruna, 27, of the Bronx, Ahmed “Taju” Mutalib, 32, of Decatur, Ga., and Murtala Haruna, 30, of Cincinnati. Each faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. All are being held. “We are fighting the gun plague with all our might and resources, on the streets and in the courts,” Katz said in a press release from her office. “Through the hard work and collaboration of police and prosecutors, we have seen shootings in 2023 decline 28 percent in the city and 34 percent in Queens. That is of little comfort, however, to the more than 1,000 victims of shootings across the city this year.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, center, flanked by NYPD officials, left, and assistant district attorneys from her office, displays guns recovered in a seven-month undercover investigaPHOTO COURTESY QDA tion into firearms trafficking. Through investigations, arrests and prosecutions, we will continue to do everything we can to shut the Iron Pipeline down once and for all. “When that day comes, all of us will owe a debt of gratitude to the brave undercover officer in this dangerous investigation, and to all those who have risked their lives to help keep us safe,” Katz added. NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said
the arrests underscore disturbing truths. “First, illegal guns proliferate and circulate in many neighborhoods that still need our help,” he said. “And second, every day the men and women of the NYPD perform incredibly dangerous work to prevent these firearms from getting into criminals’ hands. Every illegal gun taken off the street, every robbery that is avoided, every shooting that does not occur, and every homicide that never comes to pass,
is another realization of the public safety promise we have vowed to fulfill.” The investigation began in March. It resulted in four sales taking place in the parking lot of P.C. Richard & Son in Astoria between June 10 and Aug. 26. The statement from the DA’s Office said the first sale included 12 unloaded guns and 10 large-capacity magazines. A June 27 buy allegedly involved 16 semiautomatic pistols, three rif les, a shotgun and 900 rounds of ammunition. The complaint asserts that five rifles and 25 semiautomatic pistols were purchased on Aug. 14, along with 20 large-capacity magazines. A sale on Aug. 26 allegedly included five long guns, 30 semiautomatic pistols and 500 rounds of ammunition. Detectives allegedly witnessed two of the suspects leaving a Cincinnati home carrying boxes that were placed in a rental truck, an event they said corresponded with phone calls regarding the transportation of guns for sale. On Sept. 8, authorities allegedly tracked Murtala Haruna and Mutalib driving a rented truck with a Florida license plate through New Jersey to Staten Island. Upon execution of a search warrant on the car, law enforcement allegedly turned up 12 guns, including three assault weapons, along with 13 high-capacity magazines and 1,000 rounds of 9 mm ammuQ nition.
Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, November 9, 2023
DA announces gun trafficking takedown
You’re a New Yorker from day 1 Enroll in NYC Care regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay.
1-646-NYC-CARE For the latest news visit qchron.com
nyccare.nyc
