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NEW YORK (April 14, 8:02 p.m. PDT) - Colombian
drug smugglers imported millions of dollars worth of heroin molded into
elaborate scrollwork for wooden headboards, nightstands and other bedroom
furniture, police said Monday.
The drug operation was given away by the
smell of the chemicals used to dissolve the furniture back into heroin, said
Inspector James Secreto, of the narcotics unit in the Queens borough of New
York.
Police began watching an apartment in Queens
about three weeks ago after neighbors complained about unpleasant odors.
Officers raided the apartment Thursday and
arrested two Colombian men. The two could face life sentences if they are
convicted of first-degree criminal drug possession charges, prosecutors
said.
Police recovered gallons of chemicals
including hydrochloric acid and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of
bundled cash, an indication that at least one fake furniture shipment had
been imported, melted down and sold, said Lt. William Waters, of the Queens
narcotics unit.
Investigators also recovered about 50 kilos
of heroin with a $22.5 million estimated street value, police said.
The heroin was molded into furniture by
mixing it with a special hardening resin in a process known as starching,
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said. Narcotics investigators have
confiscated pottery and luggage made with the same technique.
Officials said last week's bust was the
first time they had seen heroin made into furniture.
"This is new to everybody up here," Secreto
said. |
