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Romanian police raid sewers, dozens detained on suspicion of drug trafficking

Associated Press
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Florin Hora, known as Bruce Lee, a leader of the homeless people inhabiting the sewers and suspected ringleader of a drug trafficking network, watches special police officers as he sits handcuffed near the main railway station during a police raid in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Police in Romania have searched the capital's sewers in an anti-drug raid and detained dozens of people, mostly homeless, including the suspected ringleader, for questioning on suspicion of trafficking.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

Florin Hora, known as Bruce Lee, a leader of the homeless people inhabiting the sewers and suspected ringleader of a drug trafficking network, walks handcuffed along with special police officers during a police raid in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Police in Romania have searched the capital's sewers in an anti-drug raid and detained dozens of people, mostly homeless, including the suspected ringleader, for questioning on suspicion of trafficking.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

A homeless person sleeps back dropped by a wallpaper of New York city on the windows of a casino near the main railway station during a police raid in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Police in Romania have searched the capital's sewers in an anti-drug raid and detained dozens of people, mostly homeless, including the suspected ringleader, for questioning on suspicion of trafficking.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (The Associated Press)

Police in Romania have searched the capital's sewers in an anti-drug raid and detained dozens of people for questioning on suspicion of trafficking.

Anti-narcotics officers and prosecutors who investigate organized crime went down into the sewers, where some of the alleged drug traffickers live, and also conducted searches in several nearby buildings on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said in a statement that the probe is centered on breaking up a drug trafficking ring with 23 known members, who were selling methadone, heroin and other drugs. Dozens were detained for questioning, including the 41-year-old suspected ringleader.

Media reported that police found paintings, televisions, drugs and money in the sewers, but prosecutors couldn't immediately confirm that.

Hundreds of people are believed to live in the sewers.