Drug bust leads to 100 arrested in Conn.

Investigators arrested about 100 people in Connecticut in a massive raid concluding a major drug trafficking operation tracking heroin and cocaine from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico to the U.S.

Federal agents arrested 50 people on narcotics and money laundering charges in the New London area, and another 50 people were arrested on state charges. Related arrests were made in Puerto Rico, New York City, Springfield and Providence.

"They made the area a gateway for their illegal poison," said Bruce Foucart, special agent in charge of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "The fact is, we dismantled them."

Federal officials said the investigation began in early 2012, focusing on "two overlapping conspiracies centered on New London County, one involving heroin distribution and one involving cocaine distribution."

U.S. Attorney David Fein said the drugs from the ring provided most of the heroin and cocaine in the New London area.

Witnesses described how police raided the homes of suspects under the cover of darkness, taking documents and making arrests. Some of the suspects are believed to be involved in gang activity.