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19 arrested in probe of steroid, cocaine ring
Thursday, August 12, 2004
By DOUGLASS CROUSE
STAFF WRITER
An investigation into a steroid, cocaine, and prescription drug distribution ring reaped the arrests of 19 North Jersey residents this week, authorities said Wednesday.
The arrests late Sunday and early Monday capped a three-month probe by the Passaic County Narcotics Task Force into a network specialized in peddling anabolic steroids, oxycontin, cocaine, and prescription medications, authorities said. Seizures included $30,000 worth of anabolic steroids, $10,000 worth of cocaine, $20,000 in cash, and several vehicles, including a Ferrari and three Ford pickup trucks, authorities said.
Investigators said it was unclear how long the ring had operated but said they expected more arrests.
"Wherever these [people] got their drugs from is still under investigation," Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Armando Gonzalez said. "We really can't go into a lot of detail on any other aspects at this point."
Among those arrested: Charles Post, 33, of Pompton Lakes; Robert Post, 33, of West Paterson; Jose Bayona, 27, of Wayne; Oliver Cucko, 30, of Wayne; John Danckwerth Jr., 34, of Wayne; Leonard Papile, 25, of Wayne; Theresa Papile, 19, of Wayne; Nicole D'Amelio, 26, of North Haledon; and Christopher Nichols, 33, of Ringwood.
Also, Lou Gallo, 35, of Wyckoff; Sebastian Bargallo, 36, of Clifton; Gustavo Alarcon, 29, of Totowa; Rachel L. Cuomo, 22, of Dover; Adam D'Amelio, 22, of North Haledon; Steven Zecchino, 23, of Butler; Santos Rago, 48, of Bloomingdale; Louis Todaro, 23, of Wayne; Gucay Baycora, 23, of Riverdale; and Charles Pruzinsky, 22, of Lincoln Park.
Some were arrested in their homes and others in their vehicles. Most suspects had posted bail by Wednesday afternoon, Gonzalez said.
Charges against Bayona, Rago, Leonard Papile, and Charles Post include being leaders of a drug distribution network. Bayona and Rago also were charged with maintaining a drug production facility in a Bloomingdale home, where authorities said drug repackaging took place. Charges against the others include drug possession and conspiracy.
The task force includes officers from the Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Department, and municipal police departments
Cop arrested in steroid sting
Saturday, August 21, 2004
By DOUGLASS CROUSE
STAFF WRITER
POMPTON LAKES - A borough police officer was arrested Friday on charges related to his role in a steroid distribution ring.
Agents with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office arrested Patrolman Dennis DePrima shortly after he reported to work at police headquarters Friday morning. The officer - who had been reinstated to the force in January 2003 following a one-year forced leave - was suspended without pay pending the investigation's outcome.
"He is facing serious charges, and if he is convicted we will be looking for a jail term," Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano said.
DePrima, 28, of Pompton Lakes, was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, and with official misconduct. Avigliano said his office had planned to arrest him last week as part of stings that resulted in the arrests of 19 North Jersey residents, but that DePrima was on vacation.
DePrima could not be reached for comment. His lawyer did not return a telephone call.
Last week's arrests capped a three-month probe by the Passaic County Narcotics Task Force into a network that specialized in peddling anabolic steroids, oxycontin, cocaine, and prescription medications, authorities said.
Avigliano declined to describe the officer's alleged involvement in the drug ring, citing an ongoing investigation.
Pompton Lakes Police Chief Albert Ekkers said the charges against DePrima, who was hired in 1999, came as a shock to members of the department.
"There's a multitude of feelings here - surprise, embarrassment, you name it," Ekkers said.
In January 2002, DePrima was placed on paid leave after the borough discovered he had failed to list a restraining order on his job application. DePrima said he thought the order - which barred him from carrying a gun - had been lifted. The Prosecutor's Office said it found no proof that he deliberately lied on the application.
A judge lifted the order, obtained by DePrima's former girlfriend, in May 2002. Borough Council members voted to reinstate DePrima the following January as part of the settlement of a lawsuit the officer filed against the borough.
In his suit, DePrima said he was suspended because he had arrested relatives of two council members. As part of an out-of-court settlement with the council, DePrima had to write a letter of apology and reimburse the borough for 20 days of administrative leave.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
By DOUGLASS CROUSE
STAFF WRITER
An investigation into a steroid, cocaine, and prescription drug distribution ring reaped the arrests of 19 North Jersey residents this week, authorities said Wednesday.
The arrests late Sunday and early Monday capped a three-month probe by the Passaic County Narcotics Task Force into a network specialized in peddling anabolic steroids, oxycontin, cocaine, and prescription medications, authorities said. Seizures included $30,000 worth of anabolic steroids, $10,000 worth of cocaine, $20,000 in cash, and several vehicles, including a Ferrari and three Ford pickup trucks, authorities said.
Investigators said it was unclear how long the ring had operated but said they expected more arrests.
"Wherever these [people] got their drugs from is still under investigation," Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Armando Gonzalez said. "We really can't go into a lot of detail on any other aspects at this point."
Among those arrested: Charles Post, 33, of Pompton Lakes; Robert Post, 33, of West Paterson; Jose Bayona, 27, of Wayne; Oliver Cucko, 30, of Wayne; John Danckwerth Jr., 34, of Wayne; Leonard Papile, 25, of Wayne; Theresa Papile, 19, of Wayne; Nicole D'Amelio, 26, of North Haledon; and Christopher Nichols, 33, of Ringwood.
Also, Lou Gallo, 35, of Wyckoff; Sebastian Bargallo, 36, of Clifton; Gustavo Alarcon, 29, of Totowa; Rachel L. Cuomo, 22, of Dover; Adam D'Amelio, 22, of North Haledon; Steven Zecchino, 23, of Butler; Santos Rago, 48, of Bloomingdale; Louis Todaro, 23, of Wayne; Gucay Baycora, 23, of Riverdale; and Charles Pruzinsky, 22, of Lincoln Park.
Some were arrested in their homes and others in their vehicles. Most suspects had posted bail by Wednesday afternoon, Gonzalez said.
Charges against Bayona, Rago, Leonard Papile, and Charles Post include being leaders of a drug distribution network. Bayona and Rago also were charged with maintaining a drug production facility in a Bloomingdale home, where authorities said drug repackaging took place. Charges against the others include drug possession and conspiracy.
The task force includes officers from the Prosecutor's Office, Sheriff's Department, and municipal police departments
Cop arrested in steroid sting
Saturday, August 21, 2004
By DOUGLASS CROUSE
STAFF WRITER
POMPTON LAKES - A borough police officer was arrested Friday on charges related to his role in a steroid distribution ring.
Agents with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office arrested Patrolman Dennis DePrima shortly after he reported to work at police headquarters Friday morning. The officer - who had been reinstated to the force in January 2003 following a one-year forced leave - was suspended without pay pending the investigation's outcome.
"He is facing serious charges, and if he is convicted we will be looking for a jail term," Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano said.
DePrima, 28, of Pompton Lakes, was charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs, and with official misconduct. Avigliano said his office had planned to arrest him last week as part of stings that resulted in the arrests of 19 North Jersey residents, but that DePrima was on vacation.
DePrima could not be reached for comment. His lawyer did not return a telephone call.
Last week's arrests capped a three-month probe by the Passaic County Narcotics Task Force into a network that specialized in peddling anabolic steroids, oxycontin, cocaine, and prescription medications, authorities said.
Avigliano declined to describe the officer's alleged involvement in the drug ring, citing an ongoing investigation.
Pompton Lakes Police Chief Albert Ekkers said the charges against DePrima, who was hired in 1999, came as a shock to members of the department.
"There's a multitude of feelings here - surprise, embarrassment, you name it," Ekkers said.
In January 2002, DePrima was placed on paid leave after the borough discovered he had failed to list a restraining order on his job application. DePrima said he thought the order - which barred him from carrying a gun - had been lifted. The Prosecutor's Office said it found no proof that he deliberately lied on the application.
A judge lifted the order, obtained by DePrima's former girlfriend, in May 2002. Borough Council members voted to reinstate DePrima the following January as part of the settlement of a lawsuit the officer filed against the borough.
In his suit, DePrima said he was suspended because he had arrested relatives of two council members. As part of an out-of-court settlement with the council, DePrima had to write a letter of apology and reimburse the borough for 20 days of administrative leave.
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