January 13, 1999

LARGE QUANTITY OF KETAMINE -- DATE RAPE DRUG KNOWN AS "SPECIAL K" -- SEIZED IN OZONE PARK RAID; COCAINE, VALIUM, QUAALUDES AND MARIJUANA ALSO SEIZED TOGETHER WITH GUNS AND CASH.

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Police Commissioner Howard Safir and Assistant Chief Charles Kammerdener, Commanding Officer of the New York City Police Department's Narcotics Division, announced today the arrest of two individuals on charges of possessing a large quantity of ketamine, called "Special K", a veterinary tranquilizer frequently used as a date rape drug and as a hallucinogenic. Also seized by narcotics detectives late Monday night were over 4 ounces of cocaine, approximately 10,000 Valium tablets, 2 bags of Quaaludes, 100 Ecstasy pills, a defaced Mach 10 machine gun, a .9mm automatic pistol, assorted drug paraphernalia and $11,581 in cash.

District Attorney Brown said, "This is an important seizure of what is reputed to be the largest quantity of Ketamine seized since the drug was regulated by Congress in the Rape Prevention and Punishment Act of 1996. It was subsequently classified as a controlled substance by the New York State Legislature in 1997 and is known to be used by high school students and young adults at all night dance marathons or raves. When diluted it can also be smoked and snorted."

The District Attorney said that detectives assigned to the Queens Narcotics Division seized 375 one hundred milligram bottles of the drug yesterday at 101-02 95th Avenue in Ozone Park after assistant district attorneys in his office's Narcotics Investigations Bureau obtained a search warrant signed by Criminal Court Judge Deborah Stevens Modica. He added, "It is apparent from the amount of Ketamine and other drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapons seized that the defendants were engaged in a neighborhood drug selling operation of some magnitude.

Police Commissioner Howard Safir said, "These two arrests and seizure of illegal drugs - including some "designer" drugs, weapons, a luxury vehicle and U.S. currency clearly demonstrates our collective commitment to ridding this city's streets of criminals who deal in any type of illegal drugs. Great team work between our Narcotics Division and the Detective Bureau - with the assistance of the District Attorney - working towards one common goal led to these arrests, effectively putting the two suspects out of the drug business. We will continue our aggressive efforts in working together to achieve a secure and safe environment for all New Yorkers."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendants as Jason Cuozzo, 23, of the 95th Avenue address and Kimberly Scheeler, 20, of 182 Gibson Boulevard, Valley Stream, New York. They are both charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first, second, third fourth and fifth degrees, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and possession of drug paraphernalia among other charges. If convicted of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree they face life terms in prison.

The defendants were arraigned late last evening before Criminal Court Judge Steven W. Paynter. Mr. Cuozzo was remanded without bail and Ms. Scheeler was released in her own recognizance.

The investigation leading to the arrests and seizure was carried out by a team of New York City Police Department detectives and police officers under the command of Inspector Thomas P. Sweeney, Deputy Inspector Frederick E. Britton, Captain Kevin Fitzgerald and Lt. Dominick Gentile of Narcotics Borough Queens. Police Officer Jeffrey Salta is the arresting officer. Captain Michael Coan of the 102nd precinct and officers under his command assisted in the arrests.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Schechter of District Attorney Brown's Narcotics Investigations Bureau which is under the supervision of Bureau Chief Peter A. Crusco and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Robert D. Alexander is in charge of the prosecution.

It should be noted that an arrest is merely an accusation and that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.