Crack Center Crippled? Reputed Organization Leader Nabbed In 'Badlands' Bust

Federal and local law-enforcement officers interrupted a nearly $2 million- a-year drug operation yesterday morning when they swept into the block of Orkney and Indiana streets with names, pictures and a federal indictment.

Outside what appeared to be a tiny North Philadelphia convenience store, police emptied out a bag of bundled crack vials and lined up more than a dozen men, many of whom were released.

The colorfully painted store, authorities say, was the center of operations for the Farias Crack Organization, which found riches in a struggling, graffiti- and trash-strewn section of Fairhill.

On a good day, the Justice Department says, Farias' sales totalled as much as $5,000.

But the store now belongs to the government.

Six of the 10 men named in the indictment were arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute crack. Police succeeded in nabbing Nicolas Farias, of Mutter Street near Berks, the accused leader of the organization.

The grand jury charged that the group's sales took place less than 1,000 feet from the Potter Thomas School, at 6th Street and Indiana Avenue.

The arrests took place in the company of a "who's who" of law enforcement officials - the district attorney, city police commissioner and local heads of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. They praised the joint effort, saying it was proof that something was being done in the area of North Philadelphia dubbed "The Badlands."

While admitting that the arrest site may be an inconvenient location for a news conference, Sam Billbrough, special agent in charge for the DEA, said, ''It lets people know we are out here, that we're interested, and we continue to be interested."

Yesterday's arrests came under the Weed and Seed Program, a joint initiative of local and federal law enforcers and social service and urban revitalization programs.

The program's goal is to "weed" drug traffickers and other violent criminals out of the community, and "seed" social service supports in the neighborhood to improve the quality of life and prevent the reoccurence of

drug trafficking.

The Department of Justice awarded Philadelphia a $1.1 million grant for the program.

Officials and community activists said yesterday's actions would at least relieve neighbors of some of the drug dealers hustling outside their homes, and reduce the intimidation against taking an active role in improving their community.