Following a ten month investigation, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly announced last Thursday of the filing of criminal charges against twelve individuals who allegedly trafficked narcotics in a Briarwood restaurant.
The twelve individuals charged are all allegedly members of gangs such as the Trinitarios, Latin Kings and the Bloods.
After conducting got five court-authorized search warrants, police officers found, four weapons including a Colt .38 caliber revolver and a Remington 870 shotgun with a scope. They also found more than a kilo of cocaine, 777 glassines of heroin (more than one ounce), two ounces of marijuana and $3,250.
Commissioner Kelly commended the work the officers did on this case, saying that guns and violence often come with drug trafficking.
“When illegal drugs are sold at a restaurant we can expect that violence associated with guns, drug sales and gang activity will also show up on the menu,” Commissioner Kelly said.
District Attorney Brown also had high praise for the officers taking down the drug ring.
“This long-term investigation, which involved court authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and the execution of search warrants, underscores the continuing commitment by my office and the New York City Police Department to keep drugs off of our streets,” District Attorney Brown said.
According to District Attorney Brown, the investigation, which was known as “Operation Dinner Out” started in October 2010 after the NYPD learned that various illegal drugs were allegedly for sale at The La Braza, a restaurant located at 123-04 Metropolitan Avenue in Briarwood. Alleged Trinitarios member Brian Romero, 31, owned the restaurant.
The twelve individuals, who were arrested starting in July and concluding on August 31, have been charged with numerous counts criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and assault.
Among the defendants from the local area are Stefan White, 21, Ariel Almonte,34, and Jason Marcellus, 22, all of Richmond Hill and Wilbert Romero, 36 of Jamaica.
Their cases are pending in Queens Criminal Court.
