Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced Wednesday the arrests of a dozen people in connection with a heroin operation based in Nassau and Queens, including the ex-boyfriend of a Massapequa girl who died of a heroin overdose.

Natalie Ciappa, 18, was found unconscious June 21 in a Seaford garage following a party. Rice says after her death, detectives obtained information about Ciappa's ex-boyfriend, Phillip Ordaya, that connected him to the heroin investigation.

As a result of the connection, Ordaya was placed under surveillance and arrested on a drug conspiracy charge July 7.

Rice said that the investigation into the drug ring began in February 2008, with Nassau County Police Department detectives uncovering widespread heroin dealing at the Hempstead Bus Terminal.

Ciappa?s family attended the Nassau district attorney?s news conference. Her mother, Doreen Ciappa, spoke at length about what parents should do to make sure something similar never happens to their own children. Doreen says parents shouldn?t shy away from snooping, even electronically, in order to find out if their kids are on drugs.

?Look at their eyes and make them look at you when they talk to you,? she says. ?Stop them when they come home and talk to them.?

The investigation included wiretaps, surveillance and search warrants. Two Queens brothers and men in Nassau County are believed to be the main drug runners.

Click for more on Doreen Ciappa?s advice for parents

To see the extended news conference with Doreen Ciappa, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.

Read more about this story on Shari Einhorn?s