San Diego County District Attorney announces indictment of 51 in East Village ‘open-air drug market’ [Video]

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Over 50 people were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday for hundreds of drug-related charges tied to what San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan described as an “open-air drug market” in East Village.

Stephan’s office said the indictment was the result of a year-long investigation borne after receiving thousands of calls to police reporting drug sales in the area.

According to prosecutors, the defendants, who are believed to be connected to gangs, are accused of primarily selling cocaine-based substances to people, including those experiencing homelessness.

In a press conference Thursday, Stephan said that the members of these gangs were the driving force of the operation, overseeing from a nearby parking spot a drug dealer who was soliciting out on the street.

“It was an unacceptable situation and it is being dealt with,” Stephan said.

The grand jury heard evidence collected by investigators over …