CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) – New Jersey’s attorney general today announced a major drug bust in South Camden with ties to a local street gang.

It’s a show of some law-enforcement muscle in a city that’s among the nation’s most dangerous, and where nearly half the police force was laid off last month (see related story).

Some residents have worried that crime — particularly street-level drug sales — would increase as the number of police went down.

Wednesday’s announcement is the first of a major bust since the layoffs took effect.

State attorney general Paula Dow says the sweep was a result of a nine-month investigation led by the Division of Criminal Justice.

Dow says 15 men were charged with first-degree racketeering and various drug offenses.   More than $90,000 in drugs — including cocaine, herion, and PCP — were seized.

“We are real proud,” Dow told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.  “What you should know about all of this is that the state, working collectively with the county and city and our federal partners, are all here, and we are continuing to make efforts to fight crime in Camden.  And we will continue to do so.”

Dow says the two alleged leaders of the drug network were among those arrested: Kyle Ogletree, 27, of Cherry Hill, and his uncle, Sean Ogletree, 34, of Philadelphia.

Reported by John McDevitt, KYW Newsradio 1060.