John Gotti, the 23-year-old grandson of the late Gambino crime boss for whom he is named, was arrested along with six others early Thursday on state narcotics charges, authorities said.

NYPD detectives took Gotti and the other defendants, including Gotti's girlfriend to the 113th Precinct for processing. Gotti was arrested in the home where his grandfather, dubbed the "Teflon Don," once lived. He was arraigned late Thursday night.

The defendants are charged with illegal distribution of oxycodone and other prescription pills in Howard Beach and Ozone Park. Investigators say a search of Gotti's home yielded hundreds of the pain pills and more than $40,000 cash.



They also seized two of his vehicles as evidence.

Gotti's attorney, Gerard Marrone, said children were present when police "broke in doors'' and "wrecked the house.''



"I would have just surrendered him. It really wasn't necessary,'' said Marrone, asserting that the actions were taken "because of his last name; they want to make a headline. We're going to enter a plea of not guilty and fight the case."

Gotti is the grandson of John Gotti, who died in federal prison in 2002 following his 1992 conviction on federal racketeering and murder charges.

His arrest does not appear to be connected to an indictment also released Thursday accusing nearly four dozen suspects of running a massive East Coast crime syndicate.