D.C. Police have announced dozens of recent drug-related arrests in Trinidad, the site of eight murders this year. But police hope getting the drugs and dealers off the streets will cut crime and close the other half of the still-open cases.

Since early June, Metropolitan Police Department (web|news) and the DEA have arrested nearly 80 suspects in the Trinidad neighborhood, part of a major effort to close down what they call a violent drug trafficking organization. "Guns, drugs and crew activity. If you're fighting over drug territory, we're gonna go everything we can to take it away from you," said D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier (web|news|bio) .

The drugs recovered include marijuana, heroine and cocaine, totaling a street value of $125,000. Police and the DEA insist their presence in Trinidad is there to stay. "I want to emphasize that this is not a situation where we deploy 60 or 90 days and you don't see us again. We're here indefinitely," said Shawn Johnson, DEA Special Agent in Charge Washington Division Office. "Those who are thinking this ends today, I assure you it will not end today," said Lanier.

It is welcome news to those who live in the area, but they also know there is more work to be done. "It's getting better. It's a process though. It ain't gonna happen overnight. It's just like you walk ten miles into a dark forest. You gotta walk ten miles back out. That's the way it is," said one resident.

There have been eight murders in Trinidad in 2008 alone; four murders are yet to be solved. Police are optimistic the arrests will lead to more of those cases being closed. "I would not be surprised if, as a result of all of these investigations that are ongoing and as this investigation continues, that if we don't tie some of this drug activity and gang activity to some of the violence that has occurred," said Lanier.

"DEA and the Metropolitan DC Police Department have combined forces to dismantle a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Washington, D.C. These arrests, drug and gun seizures, will ensure that the citizens of this community will not be plagued by this group of predators who had no regard for the safety of their neighbors or their quality of life," said Johnson.