By Nolan Strong
An associate of G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo who is accused of brandishing a gun at a music industry rival's son was arrested in a massive sweep of members of the Bloods street gang last week.
Police in Queens, New York rounded up 34 suspected gang members on charges ranging from narcotics and weapons possession to robbery, attempted murder and murder.
Lowell “Lodi Mack” Fletcher is a self-proclaimed member of 50 Cent's G-Unit camp who is also under investigation for his role in the assault of Jimmy "Henchmen" Rosemond's son.
In May, Fletcher, 29, was charged with various misdemeanor offenses, for allegedly flashing a gun at Rosemond's son during an altercation in which rapper Tony Yayo allegedly backhanded the teen for wearing a Czar Entertainment shirt.
Czar handles the careers of rappers like Gucci Mane and The Game, who has a long running feud with 50 Cent and G-Unit.
Police accuse Fletcher of being a high ranking member of the Bloods.
Also arrested was Robert "Dead Eye" Baley, another self-proclaimed G-Unit member who was a high ranking member of the Bloods allegedly running a drug ring that was earning $15,000 dollars per week selling heroin, marijuana and other narcotics.
Baley ran a Hip-Hop label, Deadvision Entertainment which released his mixtape Long Time Comin.
The rapper's Myspace page already has posted a single titled "Free Dead Eye" featuring Baley rhyming "I Run Far Rock" over 50 Cent's smash single "I Get Money" single.
The entire sweep netted almost 10 pounds of cocaine, 13 guns, two bulletproof vests and $120,000 in cash.
“Baley’s arrest and those of higher-echelon Bloods gang members sends an important message that law enforcement will continue to aggressively track down and prosecute both drug dealers and violent criminals a like who seek to terrorize our communities," District Attorney Richard Brown said. "Today’s street gangs– such as the Bloods – are involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including drugs and weapons trafficking and the use of violence to protect and expand their territory, often harming innocent individuals caught in the crossfire. Yesterday’s arrests and the others resulting from this investigation will take us along way to improving the quality of the life for the residents of Far Rockaway and in reducing gang-related violence and other criminal activity throughout Queens.”
The investigation, known as "Operation Bloodhound" began in September 2006 and included extensive physical surveillance, court-authorized electronic surveillance and search warrants.
“This case in Queens is an important blow to the nexus between gangs and drugs and also a step toward safeguarding the residents put in danger by this activity,” added New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.