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Heroin operation busted

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The I-Team first broke the story on cheap and addictive heroin making a comeback in Charlotte. Now, a ring operating out of homes in south Charlotte and the University area is busted.

Federal agents busted a black tar heroin operation in Charlotte. Police say it’s a growing problem in the area because it’s cheap.

Drug runners brought the heroin to Charlotte from Mexico. According to the criminal complaint, the dealers called balloons of black tar heroin "big ones” and “tacos” or “taquitos.”

And, they called the thousands of dollars they made selling it "newspaper."

Javier Torres Gutierrez is one of the alleged ring leaders.

At a home on Hartley Hills Drive in the University area a dent is visible where agents bashed in the door.

Agents also raided a house on Kingfisher Drive in south Charlotte.

A neighbor witnessed it, but doesn't want to be identified, said "I just saw all these unmarked cars and all these swat team with bullet-proof vests and big guns running up to the house."

He didn't know the reason was heroin.

"Yeah, that really blows me away," he said.

Another neighbor who doesn't want to be identified says the people kept to themselves.

"On the weekend they'd get in the pool and that was it,” he said. "I didn't see any comings in and out."

But, neighbors say there was one strange thing.

"Wouldn't turn any lights on or anything," the neighbor said.

Even at night, neighbors say, the lights were out.

Investigators say they stored heroin and cash at both homes. Investigators also say they broke larger doses down into smaller ones at an apartment in Rock Hill.

The deals included phone calls and deliveries minutes later to locations including Providence at Old Providence Road and the CVS parking lot on Sharon Amity and Monroe Road.

"I'm glad they're gone, I'll tell you that,” a neighbor said.

Investigators say at one point, the drug dealers suspected they were being followed and made several lane changes and turns while being followed by undercover agents.