NEW YORK -- Twenty-six people were arrested in Colombia and the United States after federal authorities investigated a massive Colombian money-laundering organization that processed millions of dollars in drug proceeds through a black market peso exchange. Along with the arrests, authorities announced the seizure of $10 million in cash and $6.5 million in narcotics. In one court document filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, New York Police Department Detective Jon Paul Figueroa described the scheme, saying it was used to process some of the billions of dollars generated each year by Colombian drug dealers. [continues 228 words]
NEW YORK -- Two tons of cocaine found in a warehouse in Brooklyn was described Friday as a "historic seizure" _ the largest confiscation of drugs in New York by law enforcement authorities in at least five years. "This is a major blow against narcotics trafficking in New York City," said police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at an afternoon news conference to announce the seizure and the arrest of four men. He said the discovery Thursday night during a surveillance in the Park Slope section would have a ripple effect on crime in the city. [continues 340 words]
NEW YORK - A federal appeals court Friday gave fresh life to a First Amendment challenge to the city's parade permit application process, saying a judge who ruled in favor of the city must review more evidence before deciding the issue. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the city law governing the issue "is not sufficiently precise on its face to pass constitutional muster" but added that the court did not have enough facts to be sure. It said the case must return to the lower court so both sides can submit additional evidence regarding the practices of Police Commissioner Howard Safir and the guidelines used to determine whether permits are issued. [continues 158 words]
YORK (AP) Upper-class professionals in prime Manhattan neighborhoods benefited from a cocaine gang that delivered drugs to their doorsteps, prosecutors said as charges were brought against 10 men. What was dubbed the Home Delivery Cocaine Organization operated for the last year, making up to $11,000 a day, prosecutors said. U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White said the case proves that cocaine distribution and use destroys society, "especially when it becomes as easy to order as pizza." Marvin Smilon, a spokesman for Ms. White, said he could not comment on whether prosecutors were pursuing the customers of the organization. But he said the investigation is continuing. [continues 351 words]
NEW YORK (AP) - Federal agents raided a men's club and one of the city's pricier restaurants where they said customers were sold banned Cuban cigars along with cocktails and dinner. Seven people were arrested in the raids on the Racquet & Tennis Club and at Patroon, a pricey restaurant, authorities said Thursday. Both are in Manhattan. Among those charged were club manager Robert Gressler, Patroon owner Kenneth Aretsky, and Alex Hasbany, manager of Patroon's cigar room. The three are accused of illegally buying Cuban cigars in violation of the ``Trading with the Enemy Act,'' which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. [continues 175 words]
NEW YORK - A jury acquitted a New York nightclub owner Wednesday on charges that he approved drug sales as a way to attract patrons to his swanky Manhattan discos. Prosecutors had depicted Peter Gatien, 46, as a key player in a widespread conspiracy that funneled cocaine, Ecstasy and other drugs to his clubs' mostly youthful clientele. The drug sales allegedly went on for more than five years beginning in 1991 at the Limelight and the Tunnel, two popular nightspots owned by Gatien. Both clubs were raided in 1996. The Limelight remains closed, but the Tunnel reopened. [continues 152 words]
