A seventh-month sting operation in and around Long Island City’s Queensbridge Houses led to 59 arrests last Wednesday morning.

The operation, which began in June of 2008, uncovered a massive drug trafficking ring that encompassed more than 12 of the 26 buildings that make up the nation’s largest housing complex. Of the 59 arrested, 54 have been charged with a variety of gun- and drug-related charges, and another 25 people are being sought for related crimes.

The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between the offices of the Queens District Attorney’s Narcotics Investigations Bureau and the New York City Police Department’s Queens Narcotics Bureau, which was started to identify narcotics traffickers in the Queensbridge Houses.

Since the summer of 2008, undercover officers purchased cocaine, heroin, and marijuana on 197 separate occasions in the area, and more than 110 of those drug arrests occurred on the grounds of the Western Queens Nursery School at 10-26 41st Street.

“Through the use of various investigative techniques, including undercover police officers posing as narcotics customers, our investigation has identified three separate drug organizations operating out of the Queensbridge Houses,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “One of the defendants is accused along with his mother and brother of running a one-stop shop offering cocaine, heroin and firearms for sale.”

As part of the investigation, officers purchased an amount of cocaine valued at $22,220, heroin valued at $6,890, and marijuana valued at $2,035. Undercover officers also purchased firearms, including two 9mm handguns, a .38 caliber revolver, and a ballistic vest. More than 13 court-authorized searches were executed.

“The nexus between illegal drugs and violence is inescapable, and the police department is committed to suppressing them both in Queens and wherever they occur,” said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

“This initiative is yet another step in our continuing campaign to stop drug dealing and drug-based violence in public housing complexes,” added Brown. “The result of this joint investigation should be a welcome relief to the many residents of Queensbridge Houses who have been plagued with illegal drug trafficking near their homes and schools.”