Eighteen members of a heroin and crack cocaine organization based out of a Harlem housing development were indicted yesterday on conspiracy and felony drug charges, the Manhattan district attorney’s office announced yesterday.

Prosecutors said the narcotics ring, known as the Lincoln Crew, after the Lincoln Houses development where they operated, was led by Antonio Rivera, who went by the street name “Tone.”

Mr. Rivera was charged with multiple counts of felony drug sales to an undercover police officer. Baron Gathers, also known as “Byron,” a manager who collected drug sale proceeds and distributed drugs to street dealers, and Francisco Ramos, a street-level dealer, were also charged with felony drug sales. The indictment also charges that Mr. Gathers threatened to kill an undercover police officer over a $600 narcotics debt.

The heroin was sold in small packets with brand names like “Freeway,” “Red Dragon,” “Old Boy,” “Bonnie & Clyde,” “Game Face,” and “Stone Cold.” The dealers were very cautious of police investigations, and sold only to people they knew.

Also charged were Adam “Bone” Flowers, Carlton Gaffney, Lance “Dino” Palmer, James “Put” Skriven, all of whom helped operate the crack cocaine distribution end of the organization. Mr. Skriven was the head of that part of the Lincoln Crew, the others were street-level dealers, the DA’s office said.

The additional defendants include Tony Lennon, Davis McClinton, Henry Melendez, Samal Ortiz, Robert Royal, Roger Sharp, Roger Smith, and three unidentified suspects who go by the street names “J.D. Jeff,” “J.D. Poopie,” and “J.D.Babygirl.” Twelve of the 18 defendants are in custody.

Authorities said the indictments are part of a continuing fight against drug operations run out of the Lincoln Houses, and are the fruits of a 12-month joint investigation by the NYPD’s Manhattan North Narcotics squad and the district attorney.

In May 2001, another violent drug gang was indicted and prosecuted for murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, felony drug sales, and weapons possession. All 12 members of that organization were convicted and are serving sentences in state prison.

ARREST IN

BROOKLYN SHOOTING

A homeless man was arrested for the shooting of two bystanders as he attempted to shoot a third victim in Flatbush, Brooklyn, police said yesterday.

Wayne Millington, 21, who was being sought for questioning but had not been identified as a suspect, was arrested at around 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday, and charged with attempted murder and assault.

According to police, the shooting took place on August 29, at 12:35 a.m. in front of 1244 Herkimer St. The first victim, a 46-year-old woman, was hit in the neck and suffered a severed spinal cord. The second victim, a 38-year-old woman was hit in the hand. Neither victim was the intended target of the shooting. The suspect was firing at another, unknown person when the other two victims were wounded.