New York City, July 25 – Kurt Bianco, the notorious drug trafficking leader, was finally arrested last night during a night raid by the New York City Police, and Drug Enforcement Agency.

A statement from Special Agent Demler of the DEA said the raid was the latest follow-up from a six-month investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. "This wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for Mr. Fenton Hardy and his partner, Sam Peterson’s biggest breakthrough," he said last night. He said they have broken up a drug ring that controlled seven of the city's most notorious underground drug markets and profited nearly $800,000 a month selling heroin and cocaine. The ring sold up to 20 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilograms of cocaine each month. The underground markets operated in East Graverock and East Flatland.

More than 50 agents and officers, some with search dogs, were at the raid. The operation, turned into a shootout around 1 a.m., an officer at the scene said. Gunfire was exchanged inside, and outside the building, the police said. A plainclothes police officer was shot in the leg last night in which the officer traded gunfire with suspects, the authorities said. The officer, whose name was not released, was in stable condition at a general hospital, Detective Sam Peterson said.

Two suspects were shot last night. One was shot in the right shoulder and was arrested at the C train subway station at Gruen Avenue. The second suspect was shot in the leg and arrested at the scene of the drug operation.

Fifteen other suspects were also arrested last night on charges relating to the making and distributing of drugs. However, Nicholas Stein, Mr. Bianco’s top aide has escaped the arrest. He is charged for drug trafficking and murder. The authorities are still searching for him.

Kurt Bianco, 45, is in the custody in New York, awaiting trial on the charges that he participated in conspiracy of murder, and drug trafficking. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

"With all the evidence we have against Bianco, he will definitely be sentenced at least 10 years in prison. That’s a good ending for me," Detective Lieutenant Fenton Hardy said today. Mr. Hardy will be retiring from NYPD by next week to pursue career as a private detective.