By Dan Trudeau
Port Authority Police arrested two men allegedly carrying $10 million worth of cocaine, heroin and ecstasy last week at LaGuardia Airport, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown told a news conference last Thursday.
The defendants, Guido Estevez, 21, of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Fausto Martinez, 25, of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico were alleged couriers, bringing the drugs into the city for sale on the street, the DA said.
“International drug traffickers market cocaine, heroin and mood-altering pills in New York City to reap windfall profits,” Brown said. “By seizing this illicit shipment of 20 pounds of cocaine, 20 pounds of heroin and over 10,000 ecstasy tablets … we have stopped the sale of this contraband and helped to save lives.”
According to Brown, the defendants arrived at LaGuardia on Spirit Airlines Flight 710 from San Juan around 11 p.m. on June 18 . Airport security personnel noticed the suspects and grew suspicious when they were able to present only two baggage claim receipts while in possession of five pieces of luggage.
Port Authority police, on alert as part of the airport’s anti-terrorism initiative, searched the luggage and found 11 bundles of illegal substances in one bag and nine bundles in each of two other bags, Brown said.
Port Authority Police Superintendent Charles DeRienzo, who announced the arrests with Brown, complimented the conduct of officers carrying out the investigation.
“Our police closely monitor suspicious activity in all areas of the airport, and it is this diligence, dedication and determination that led to these arrests,” DeRienzo said.
The defendants have been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Brown said the arrest was justification for the state’s controversial current drugs laws, which critics say are too harsh in terms of sentencing of convicted offenders.
“The case is another example why budget support to carry out drug investigations is imperative and why predatory drug dealers warrant the long sentences imposed by our existing drug laws,” Brown said.
Reach Reporter Dan Trudeau by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
