Nine Broome County men face up to life in prison if they are convicted of federal drug conspiracy charges.

Police rounded up the suspects in pre-dawn raids Tuesday in Binghamton and Johnson City.

Authorities say the men are accused of being involved with a drug trafficking operation known as "The Eddie Block Gang."

According to United States Attorney Richard Hartunian, the charges allege the group engaged in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana and prescription drugs.

The conspiracy is said to have been underway since January of last year.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Miroslav Lovric told WNBF News that the raids on a dozen locations were executed as planned and that all of those sought as part of the investigation are in custody.

The men were arraigned Tuesday afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley-Dancks.

They were taken from the Federal Building on Henry Street in downtown Binghamton by vans from the Delaware and Chenango county sheriff's offices.

Prosecutors identified the suspects as:

- 22-year-old Izabivone Hughes of Johnson City.

- 24-year-old Anthony Boyd Jr. of Endicott.

- 23-year-old Terrill Collins of Binghamton.

- 21-year-old John Abbadessa of Binghamton.

- 23-year-old Jalon Parker of Binghamton.

- 29-year-old Anthony Randolph Jr. of Binghamton.

- 24-year-old Rashawn Cauthen of Binghamton.

- 23-year-old Aalim Shabazz of Binghamton.

- 27-year-old Theodore Cook of Binghamton.

In addition to the drug conspiracy accusation, Randolph also was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bob Joseph/WNBF News
Bob Joseph/WNBF News
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