Miami Police Detective Luis Diazlay, in court documents, said the John Does met daily at 1504 NW 58th St., the home of Smith's mother, Willie Mae Smith. A police search there uncovered two handguns and two hand grenades. Police charged Corey Smith - already a convicted felon - with illegal possession and held him without bond Nov. 12.

Smith's lawyer has said Smith is being unfairly targeted by police because they had to drop the murder charge against him. But investigators say Smith's arrest history, wealth, lifestyle and lack of employment suggest he's a major drug dealer. Upon his most recent arrest, his 24th, officers seized $185,000 cash.

Court documents show police listened to more than 2,500 phone calls on Smith's and Gallashaw's phones. Officers heard alleged gang members using everyday words as codes for drug dealing. "Collard greens" meant marijuana. "Toys" meant guns. "White shoe" meant cocaine.

Smith is implicated in all five murders outlined as "overt acts" in the indictment. Scott and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said they will review the cases for possible state prosecution. But some of the cases would be difficult to prove individually, and even if convictions resulted, the state penalties would be no higher than the life imprisonment already available under federal narcotics laws.

Rundle defended her office's handling of drug cases, saying no matter the number, state law doesn't provide "teeth" to keep low- and mid-level violators in jail.

Federal prosecution "is one of the strongest weapons we have in our arsenal against these drug dealers, " Rundle said. "We can put these guys away for life. We don't have to worry about them being released in 12 hours, going back to the same street corners, dealing the same old stuff."

The indictment also accuses Eric Stokes and Julius Stevens, two John Doe lieutenants, with attempting to kill Anthony "Little Bo" Fail on Dec. 11, 1998, shooting more than 30 rounds into a house occupied by four adults and five children.

Fail was a former John Doe member whose bitter split with the group has sparked about a dozen fatal shootings in Liberty City since August, police said. He was captured early Tuesday in West Palm Beach after an intensive, eight-day search. Fail was not indicted Thursday.

The Rev. Richard Bennett, a Liberty City minister who has supported police efforts, said residents of the impoverished neighborhood are tired of living with violence but cannot afford to move to safer places. "This will do a great deal of good in our community, " he said during Thursday's news conference, adding that he hopes police will continue to be a forceful presence.

Miami Police Chief William O'Brien said his department is committed to keeping the heat on.

"Can we, police, stop the drug sales in Miami and Liberty City alone? No, we can't, " he said. "Police alone are not the answer to crime. Society's total approach to crime is the only answer. However, with that being said, we will work to arrest as many drug dealers as we can."

It won't take long to see another round of charges. Miami-Dade Police are wrapping up a lengthy probe of the Boobie Boys, Vonda's Gang and other drug groups - also expected to end with a federal indictment. And investigators are not through with the John Does.

"We have people inside the group cooperating, " said Miami homicide Lt. John Campbell. "We're already looking at who our next target will be."