June 16, 2008
Erin Mulvey
Public Information Officer
212 337-2906
Four Hundred Pounds of Cocaine Seized in Tractor Trailer
JUN 16  -- New York DEA Special Agent-In-Charge John P. Gilbride, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt and Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan announced the seizure of four hundred pounds of cocaine concealed in an elaborate steel lined compartment of a 16 wheeler tractor trailer from a parking lot in the Bronx. Four men were arrested and charged with transporting the narcotics into New York City.
Last Thursday, members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) seized the tractor trailer, which had just dropped off a load of cargo in Boston, and spent ten hours examining the trailer before locating the cocaine. An x-ray device, maintained by the Department of Homeland Security Border and Customs Patrol, finally revealed the elaborate compartment hiding the narcotics.
The NYDETF, comprised of officers from the DEA, NYPD, and NY State Police, worked with the New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor on the investigation. The street value of the cocaine is 16 million dollars.