Drug Trafficking on Long Island

By Shari Einhorn

Long Island is known for its beaches, its parks, its downtowns, its night life and apparently for drug trafficking!

Last week I did a story on a major heroin ring busted in Nassau County.  About a dozen people were arrested -- investigators seized drugs, weapons and money.  To see that story click here.

Today, I'm doing a story on two separate but apparently lucrative cocaine rings busted in Suffolk County.  So far, 17 people have been arrested -- detectives got drugs, cash and weapons like an UZI sub machine gun, a loaded shotgun, a spear and a really freaky looking brass knuckle type thing with knives attached to it.

Maybe the craziest part of it all...according to the District Attorney's office, one of the suspected ringleaders was concerned enough about the violent side of drug trafficking -- that he actually kept 2 kilos of fake cocaine in his house -- so in case robbers barged in -- they'd get the fake stuff not the real stuff!

In both stories -- the DA's from both counties said there was a Queens connection.  With Long Island's proximity to the city -- investigators say it's pretty easy to buy drugs and bring them back to Long Island where there are apparently lots of people willing to buy.

Interestingly, the DA said the yearlong investigation began after community residents began calling and writing to his office -- complaining about what they suspected were drug deals going down in Riverhead.  DA Spota told me in those letters -- residents named names -- helping to steer investigators in the right direction.

What does that say to you?  Law enforcement wants you to get this message: You don't have to sit by and watch drugs take over your neighborhood.  "If you see something -- say something."

And maybe -- an investigation will lead to a drug ring bust in your neck of the woods.

Shari