PITTSBURGH (AP) — Law enforcement agents said they have begun dismantling a gang of "Crip wannabes" who they accused of selling millions of dollars of cocaine through a violent network based in a crime-ridden steel town.

Mary Beth Buchanan, the U.S. attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania, said 50 people were indicted on federal drug charges. Another 26 people face state charges and more arrests are coming, she said.

Some 250 law enforcement agents from federal, state and local agencies rounded up about half the suspects Thursday as part of an investigation that began in March 2006.

Officials said the gang was based in Braddock, a once-powerful steel town east of Pittsburgh that is now home to just over 2,600 people and has long been plagued by drug-related crime. Though the investigation focused on Braddock, officials said the drugs and crime spread throughout western Pennsylvania.

The defendants distributed more than 100 kilograms of powder and crack cocaine, which has wholesale value of about $3 million, but is worth far more on the street, Buchanan said.

Buchanan called the defendants "Crip wannabes" and said many face life in prison if convicted.

"They wanted to express their allegiance to the Crips. They wanted to be known as Crips. However, we are unaware of any connection between the international Crip gang and this group of people in Braddock," Buchanan said. "So when I refer to them as Crip wannabes, this is what they wanted to be."

Buchanan said Thursday's arrests "will begin to return the quality of life to the law-abiding citizens of Braddock."

Drugs, guns, bulletproof vests and "a significant amount of money," were also collected, Buchanan said. Federal authorities also hope to seize several properties.

The investigation started with the Allegheny County district attorney in March 2006 and revealed "a number of overlapping and interrelated drug distribution networks" in Braddock, Buchanan said. In January, federal prosecutors and the FBI joined.

District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. said the investigation also produced suspects in 12 homicides, though no one has been prosecuted.

Next week, law enforcement, political and business leaders, the Roman Catholic diocese and other stakeholders will meet about efforts to reduce crime in the region, Zappala said.

"We're going to try to eliminate the situation that helps breed this type of environment," Zappala said.