October 25, 1999

NYPD AND QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SEIZE 428 KILOS OF

COCAINE WITH STREET VALUE OF $53 MILLION

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir announced today the seizure of 428 kilos of cocaine with a street value of approximately $53 million in an investigation into a large scale drug distribution network in Queens County. One man was arrested and charged with possessing the drugs with intent to distribute them. District Attorney Brown said, "Late Saturday night, as a result of a continuing investigation into large scale narcotics trafficking in Queens, members of the Police Department's Queens Narcotics Division and the Queens District Attorney's Office's Narcotics Investigation Bureau seized 423 kilos of high grade cocaine from a stash house in the Richmond Hill section of Queens and an additional five kilos from a man seen leaving that house earlier that afternoon. The cocaine that was seized -- 942 pounds -- is worth approximately $53 million dollars on the street."

"This weekend's arrest and seizure of 428 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of $53 million clearly underscores the need to continue in these types of investigatory and enforcement operations," said New York City Police Commissioner Safir. "We intend to make it as difficult as possible for anyone engaged in illegal activities, no matter what the magnitude of that activity is. In this case, the message is simple with this weekend's results."

District Attorney Brown said, "On Saturday afternoon, police officers assigned to the Queens Narcotics District observed the driver of a late-model BMW enter a one-family house in the Richmond Hill section of Queens. When he left the house shortly thereafter he was carrying a rather heavy bag and was clearly concerned that he was being watched. He entered his car and immediately began to drive evasively -- clearly attempting to avoid being followed. In the process he committed numerous traffic violations. He was stopped at about 2pm and 5 kilos of cocaine were found in his car. A search warrant for the Richmond Hill premises was then sought. That warrant was signed and executed late Saturday night and an additional 423 kilos of cocaine were found.

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Andres Marcano, 37, of 134-38 57th Road. He is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted of the charges.

In making today's announcement, District Attorney Brown commended the work of the men and women of the NYPD's Queens Narcotics Borough under the overall command of Chief Martin O'Boyle, commanding officer of the Organized Crime Control Bureau, and the supervision of Inspector John Regan and Deputy Inspector Frederick E. Britton, as well as assistant district attorneys assigned to his Narcotics investigations Bureau under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Peter A. Crusco and Wilbert J. Lemelle.

The District Attorney said, "Through the work of police officers and detectives of Queens Narcotics and the solid relationship between that command and our office, we have kept up the pressure on drug traffickers at every level from the street dealer to the wholesaler. During this year alone close to 1500 kilos -- that is to say some 3300 pounds -- of cocaine have been seized from big distributors. That is up considerably from last year. In addition, long term investigations aimed at violent drug gangs and street initiatives, such as those in Southeast Queens, have driven the price of cocaine upwards. This has increased the incentive to bring larger shipments into the metropolitan area, divide it up and distribute it throughout the City in smaller batches. Once again Queens Narcotics cops scored big time -- and for that they are to be congratulated."

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Queens Narcotics Borough under the supervision of Lt. Michael Geraghty.

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

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