4 Accused of Selling Cocaine Out of Toyota Prius in Brooklyn: DA

Police arrested four people who they say allegedly delivered drugs to clients in several tiny Brooklyn neighborhoods out of a Toyota Prius. 

Francisco Frias, his cousin Mario Frias, Victoria Rivera and Rafael Velasquez were named in a 114-count indictment accusing them of conspiracy, operating as drug traffickers, drug possession near school grounds, other drug charges and weapons crimes. The Frias cousins and Velasquez face 15 years to life in prison, while Rivera faces up to 20 years behind bars.

The four are accused of working in shifts to deliver cocaine 365 days a year to customers downtown and in Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill. Customers would call a cellphone shared by whichever suspect was on duty, who would then go deliver the drugs, police say.

Authorities allege that Francisco Frias was the leader of the drug delivery service. Mario Frias allegedly worked three days a week and was paid $600, while Rafael Velasquez allegedly worked the other four days, earning $1,000. Francisco Frias only occasionally made deliveries, authorities say.

They sold the drugs in $20, $40, and $140 bags, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said, adding that they were "driving and meeting their customers in a Toyota Prius." They had about 100 repeat customers, authorities allege.

"This particular cocaine delivery ring had many repeat customers," said Thompson. "These drug dealers would drive up, meet them in downtown Brooklyn within the shadows of even our courts here and sell them cocaine -- powdered cocaine, crack cocaine."

"From 10:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night, people could just order cocaine just like they'd order pizza," he said. 

When police arrested the four suspects, officers seized more than 3 pounds of cocaine from Mario Frias' and Victoria Rivera's Staten Island home. They also found drug paraphernalia and 41 bags of packaged cocaine and crack inside the Prius.

Rivers said nothing as she left the courtroom Monday. Velaquez hid his face from the cameras. His attorney Lance Lazzaro said, "It's an allegation. We haven't seen any proof so far. Let's see how it plays out." 

The attorney for Mario Frias said his client wasn't a dealer, just a driver paid about $500 a week.

"I can't imagine this office, with its sound judgment, is going to look at this case as any more than a low-level street guy," said Sam Gregory. 

Attorney information for the suspects wasn't immediately available.  
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