NYPD Queens Narcotics Commanding Officer, Inspector James Secreto, and Queens County District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced the takedown of two high-level Colombian drug rings and the seizure of more than 420 kilos of cocaine and 50 kilos of heroin, worth a total street value of about $75 million. Police arrested a total of eight people last week, as two separate investigations culminated at the same time.

Both investigations were conducted by the Queens Borough Narcotics Division's Major Case Unit. One targeted a heroin smuggling operation based in Maspeth, Queens. The other targeted a large-scale cocaine organization based in Jackson Heights, Queens.

The investigation into the heroin operation began when police received numerous complaints from the Maspeth community about noxious fumes emanating from 69-76 57th Drive. Police confirmed the information and executed a search warrant on Thursday, April 10. Inside the three-bedroom apartment, detectives discovered a complex heroin-extraction laboratory. Large amounts of heroin, which had been mixed with a special resin that allowed it to harden, had been molded into ornate pieces of bedroom furniture and smuggled into the country. Powerful chemicals, including methylethylacetate, hydrochloric acid, and ethyl acetate, were being used inside the apartment to extract the heroin out of the furniture.

Police seized about 50 kilos of heroin at the apartment, with a street value of about $22.5 million. They also arrested the two men who ran the extraction operation, who are both Colombian nationals: Josue Elcevier Enciso Suarez, 38; and Jose Parra, 51. Police also seized more than $750,000 in cash.

The investigation into the cocaine operation began about nine months ago, when detectives developed information about a large-scale cocaine and money-laundering organization, also run by Colombians. Police learned that large amounts of cocaine was being smuggled into Texas, and then shipped across the country. The cocaine was then stored at a warehouse in Elizabeth, New Jersey, at 52 Butler Street.

Police learned that members of the Jackson Heights organization, who distributed cocaine to dealers across the city, would transfer the cocaine into the city using their own cars.

Detectives identified Carlos Fadul, 30, as the leader of the organization, and he ran it with his wife Adriana Fadul, 31, and his brother Luis Fadul, 27. After gathering enough evidence, police wiretapped several cell phone and land lines. They learned that in addition to being a major supplier of cocaine, Fadul also ran money-laundering schemes out of two telecommunications agencies in Queens: "The Coffee Net," at 61-29 Woodhaven Boulevard, and "Ruby Travel," at 90-45 148th Street.

After following Fadul during a cocaine pick-up in New Jersey, police arrested him on Thursday, April 10, at his home at 21 Montana Street in Hicksville, New York. Police also arrested the five highest-ranking members of the group, including Fadul's wife and brother, as well as Alex Gomez, 30; Henry Gonzalez, 43; and Ximena Medina, 28.

During the investigation and takedown, police seized more than 420 kilos of cocaine, with a street value of about $53.6 million, in addition to about $1.7 million in cash. They also confiscated four guns
and nine cars.

Police executed five search warrants last week. In addition to Fadul's residence and the two telecommunications agencies, they searched two apartments in Queens that the organization used to distribute cocaine: 35-20 Leverich Street, Apt. 447; and 97-07 63rd Road, Apt. 12H.