NYPD raids illegal NYC open-air migrant market, sending crooked vendors scrambling

The NYPD on Monday raided a troubled Jackson Heights block where migrant crooks peddle stolen goods and hookers ply their trade in broad daylight — one day after an exposé by The Post.

Cops and city staffers converged on the illicit open-air market shortly after 4:30 p.m., grabbing merchandise sold by illegal vendors at a steep discount on blankets and beach towels laid out on the sidewalk along Roosevelt Avenue near 91st Street.

But the bigger fish slipped through their fingers — as thieves were tipped off by spotters who keep watch on the shady operation, sending the vendors scrambling to pack the goods into waiting SUVs and screeching off mere seconds before police arrived.

“We responded today,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at the scene. “We’ve been here before, whether it be brothels, illegal bikes, vending now. So, this will be a continuing process. It’s gonna take a while but we owe it to the residents of Queens.”

Chell said police, the sanitation department and other agencies took part in the raid.

The Post reported Sunday that the Queens neighborhood had deteriorated into an illegal migrant shopping district where goods stolen from nearby retailers were sold outside at steep discounts.