Four Virginia men were recently arrested for their involvement in a gun trafficking ring, reported the Associated Press.

“Ringleader” Clive Dixon and his three suppliers were caught after officials launched an investigation into the “iron pipeline” back in March. The “iron pipeline” refers to the route smugglers use to transport guns from the Southern States – like Virginia – into New York City.

“Virginia is the top source state for firearms trafficked into New York,” says Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr.

The investigation was led by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit and the NYPD’s Firearms Investigation Unit, and involved court-authorized wiretaps and social media analysis. According to NYPD News, Dixon and his men are being charged with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. They are also facing several counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First, Second, and Third Degrees.

According to the AP, the sales were made through calls and texts. Dixon allegedly sold 86 weapons – including 65 pistols, 13 revolvers, five assault weapons, and three shotguns – and ammunition to an undercover NYPD detective who was posing as a firearms dealer. Dixon made 15 separate transactions with the detective in Manhattan and the Bronx between March 28 and November 17. Each firearm ran for approximately $1,000.

Dixon has pleaded not guilty.