5 Accused of Smuggling 30 Pounds of Heroin From Mexico to NYC

 Authorities say five men have been charged with smuggling large shipments of heroin and cocaine from Mexico so it could be sold in New York City and elsewhere in the Northeast.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan and the Drug Enforcement Administration announced the charges on Thursday. They said that 30 pounds of heroin and $835,000 in cash were recovered during a wire-tap investigation that began last year.

Court papers say that after the ring smuggled the drugs into the United States, it concealed them in luggage on bus trips to New York.

Cars with hidden compartments also were used to carry drugs and cash.

Investigators said the scheme began to fall apart when the ring fell behind on payments to a Mexican cartel that was supplying the drugs.

Police say that after one of the conspirators was arrested, one of his compatriots allegedly plotted to have the man's brother arrested to collect ransom from the brother's family.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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