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Formal charges filed against 17 people connected to Block Burners gang

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed formal charges against 17 people believed to be part of the Block Burners gang.

Police said they are among the 35 arrests made during Operation Smoke Show last week.

The group of 17 is now slapped with drug-related charges for either dealing or possessing. The long list includes marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs.

Prosecutors believe that in one of these cases, guns and drugs were found within reach of young children.

17 people connected to the Block Burners gang, including 6 women and 11 men are now waiting for their day in court.

The charges come just one day after authorities arrested the group’s ring leaders in Kentucky.

Prosecutors said Darian Garrett is one of the 35 people arrested.

The 20-year-old is charged with possession of a narcotic drug and marijuana, and neglect of a dependent.

According to court documents, local and federal authorities raided her home last week in the 3900 block of Aspen Way.

Authorities discovered a loaded pistol and shotgun, two sets of needles with spoons believed to be for heroin, a glass pipe, marijuana, and a black digital scale inside of the home.

During the search, a detective said, “Both guns were accessible to the children based on their placements in the room.”

He also said, “… heroin was found in a Graco baby crib in the master bedroom.”

Court documents also revealed, “There was only one baby crib in the house and it was the one in the master bedroom, which had female baby clothes and the heroin in it.”

The detective told prosecutors, “There was no other room set up for kids to sleep in based on my observation.”

Police did not say exactly how many children were home during the time of the raid. 24-Hour News 8 learned that the children were released to their grandmother.

More than 500 officers and 19 SWAT teams across central Indiana helped with the operation.