The Feds must have hopped into their Hot Tub Time Machine to make these arrests.
The Manhattan U.S. District Attorney on Wednesday announced the unsealing of a complaint charging 22 people with the manufacture and distribution of the popular 1970s and 80's drug Quaaludes.
As a result of "Operation Lude Behavior," suspects were busted in Manhattan, Long Island and California. Authorities said that since 2008 the ring manufactured and distributed more than 100,000 Quaalude pills -- allegedly worth over $3.5 million.
Feds seized over a $1 million in bank accounts, as well as a $1.4 million apartment on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Prosecutors have also filed civil actions against a laboratory in Brooklyn. They also seized five luxury cars, including a Lexus ES 300, a BMW 335I convertible, a Mercedes Benz SL500, a Benz ML350, and a Benz C300.
Authorities said the ring was led by Denis Patrick Fairly, 65, a chemist by trade.
"Instead of applying his training as a chemist to advance science, he allegedly used it to concoct dangerous poisons and advance his personal wealth," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
"Today's coast-to-coast takedown ends Fairley's toxic experiment and nips in the bud any apparent re-emergence of Quaaludes in our communities," Bharara said. "By seizing both their drugs and their assets, and working closely with our partners at the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, the DEA, and the Nassau County Police Department, we have ensured that Fairley and his crew will not enjoy the ill-gotten gains from their trafficking crimes."
