Northeast Baltimore’s Four-by-Four neighborhood is tiny, named for its four north-south streets and four east-west streets. But authorities say it has long been a hub of violence and drug activity, taken over by a “clandestine operation” that moved thousands of dollars in drugs at a time.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms led at least 150 law enforcement officers on raids at eight locations as 10 people were federally indicted for being part of a drug organization operating out of the neighborhood from at least June 2009 through August.

Authorities allege that the leader, 22-year-old Dearius Forrester, is the primary suspect in three unsolved killings and a fourth allegedly committed while he was a juvenile, an ATF agent wrote in an affidavit supporting a “no-knock” warrant of his apartment on Leatherwood Place in Rosedale.

Forrester, who they say is known as “Little D,” “Muffler,” and “Chicken,” was captured on an intercepted telephone call talking about how he was hiding on an unlit porch and waiting to shoot someone if they walked around a corner.

“If he comes around the corner, I’m gonna take his top off,” Forrester said, according to the agent.

In state court, Forrester has received suspended sentences for drug dealing and assault. Federal prosecutors thanked city police and prosecutors, with State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy saying the case “demonstrates the strength of our local, state and federal partnership and coordination.”