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Tapped out! Police bugs help bust Ridge drug dealers

Turns out drugs really can get you wired!

Cops used phone taps to bust three rings of dial-up Bay Ridge drug dealers, authorities announced on March 17.

Police commissioner William Bratton and District Attorney Ken Thompson alleged that the six men in custody ran a narcotic delivery service that let customers order an array of illicit entrees — including cocaine, ecstasy, and horse tranquilizers — just by picking up the phone.

“Cells phones are essential to operating any business, but these drug dealers unlawfully used the device as a means to distribute narcotics on the streets of Brooklyn, and put money in their pockets,” Bratton said.

Authorities claim the six suspects delivered drugs throughout Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Sunset Park — neighborhoods that have suffered several deadly overdoses this year.

“We will continue to work day and night with the NYPD to fight drug dealing that occurs anywhere in Brooklyn. The cost in lives is too high not to make this a priority,” said Thompson.

To net the defendants, cops recorded phone conversations and went undercover at bars where they say the accused made their dirty deliveries — unbeknownst to the establishments’ owners. This let them collect enough info to obtain warrants, and raid the suspects’ bases of operation.

Cops said they recovered huge stashes of cash and illegal weapons — not to mention designer drugs, equine sedatives, steroids, crack, and weed. Police said they are in the process of seizing the suspects’ cars and bank accounts.

This is the second drug bust in Bay Ridge in less than a year. Last August, police picked up the operator of an ice cream truck routinely parked at the 69th Street Pier, where he allegedly sold coke and pain-killers.

Reach reporter Will Bredderman at wbredderman@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4507. Follow him at twitter.com/WillBredderman.