Crime & Safety

Norwalk, Other Police Help in 20 Oxycodone Smuggling Arrests

Norwalk and other police departments were thanked by U.S. Attorney David B. Fein in helping to break up what authorities are calling a large oxycodone smuggling ring that included a Westchester police officer and Transportation Security Agency workers.

Update, Tuesday 4:21 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Justice has formally identified the ringleader among 20 arrested conspirators in their case against a oxycodone ring that was supported by Transportation Security Agency officers and police officers from Connecticut and Florida.

U.S. Attorney David B. Fein credited Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport police, among other agencies, with assistance in the investigation (see the video accompanying this article).

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According to a Justice Department news release, TSA officer Christopher Allen, 45, of Palm Beach, FL, TSA officer John Best, 30 of Florida, and Westchester Airport TSA officer Brigitte Jones, 48, of Bronx, NY, are among TSA employees charged with conspiring to transport drugs.

"It is alleged that [Christopher Allen] accepted cash payments in exchange for facilitating the transportation of oxycodone through airport security without detection," the news release states.

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"It is alleged that Best accepted cash payments and a gift card in exchange for facilitating the transportation of oxycodone through airport security without detection," according to the news release. "It is alleged that Jones accepted cash payments and a gift card in exchange for facilitating the transportation of oxycodone and narcotics trafficking proceeds through airport security without detection."

The Justice Department has also named Westchester County, NY, police Officer Michael Brady, 36, and Florida State Trooper Justin Kolves, 28 as among those involved in the drug operation. 

"It is alleged that Brady accepted cash payments in both Connecticut and New York in exchange for facilitating the transportation of narcotics trafficking proceeds through Westchester County Airport," the press release states.

The TSA and law enforcement individuals participating in the ring allegedly provided protection to at least eleven couriers, traffickers and drug-distributors that have also been arrested, according to the Justice Department.  

Each individual that has been charged with conspiring to distribute oxycodone may face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if convicted in court. David B. Fein has already stated that federal courts, in addition to law enforcement agencies of all levels, have "zero tolerance" for corruption.

Original Story

At least three agents of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and two police officers were arrested Monday for their participation in a large oxycodone smuggling ring that operated between Connecticut and Florida.

"The arrests we announce today are part of 'Operation Blue Coast', an investigation that began approximately five months ago," U.S. Attorney David B. Fein said. 

"Included in the charges filed today are three Connecticut-based narcotics traffickers, three drug and cash couriers; two based in New York and one in Florida, three TSA officers; two of whom worked at the Palm Beach Intl. Airport, and two law enforcement officers; one a Westchester County police officer working at the White Plains Airport, and the other a state trooper with the Florida State Highway Patrol."

"In April, the DEA Task Force in Bridgeport learned of an individual travelling from Palm Beach to Stamford to distribute a large quantity of oxycodene pills. That individual was later arrested, and 6,000 pills were seized at that time," Fein said.

The man whom was arrested by Bridgeport's DEA confessed to smuggling drugs via airplane and car, and then distributing the drugs to Connecticut-based traffickers. He also admitted that he traveled from Florida to Connecticut several times a week, carrying several thousand pills each time.

According to Fein, this suspect-turned-witness sold the pills at $10 per pill, and would deliver the money back to Florida. His confession led to a full investigation, spearheaded by the DEA and Connecticut law enforcement agencies.  Connecticut law enforcement agencies used  undercover officers and surveillance to assist in the massive anti-drug operation.

One TSA officer included in the arrests was recorded, telling a trafficker to give him information about his arrival plans in Florida, and that he'd "take care of the rest".

The unidentified Westchester police officer was reportedly bribed $25,000 over the course of the conspiracy. "He was paid $300-600 per trip," Fein said.

Arrested on Monday, the Florida state trooper conspirator traveled to White Plains with his fiancee to protect a "transaction", which he'd done twice in the past. However, his customers were actually two undercover agents.

"The principal traffickers are all based in Waterbury," Fein said.

Fein commended police departments around CT, including SPD, the Dept. of Homeland Security, and Connecticut's DEA for their hard work in securing the arrests.

The precise number of arrests and the names of those charged was not disclosed.

"It shouldn't be a surprise that the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners have zero tolerance for corrupt officers and corrupt government employees," Fein said.

Editor's note: This article originally was published by .


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