Heroin Shipped To NYC Disguised As Beans

**Buttercup** · 03-30-07, 11:20 PM

Heroin Shipped To NYC Disguised As 'Kidney Beans'
Suspects Busted In Connection With Huge Smuggling Ring

POSTED: 4:14 pm EDT March 28, 2007
UPDATED: 5:33 pm EDT March 28, 2007Heroin being shipped into New York was disguised as dried "kidney beans" in an attempt to fool law enforcement, officials said.

More than 250 kilograms were seized during the yearlong investigation that resulted in the arrest of 11 suspects who allegedly headed the drug ring.

The drug sting, dubbed "Operation Elimination" by Drug Enforcement agents, targeted the New York-based cell whose suppliers were based in Colombia.

John Gilbride, head of the New York DEA office, said the ring's "clever and sophisticated drug trafficking methods surprised even law enforcement." He said the group used trailer hitches to hide the heroin in addition to disguising the drug as food.

Investigators said they seized more than $24 million worth of heroin in the Tri-State area. They said Hector Vidal Yepes-Casas is the leader of the New York-based cell. His group allegedly sold heroin across Connecticut and New Jersey as well.

Colombian authorities also arrested seven suspects in the joint operation. U.S. Attorney Roslynn Mauskopf said the arrests "dismantled one of the most significant heroin trafficking organizations operating in both countries."

Officials said 60 percent of all the heroin seized in the United States is now coming from South America.

http://www.wnbc.com/news/11422572/detail.html

**jcsdscott** · 03-30-07, 11:22 PM

Gives new meaning to the term bean counter doesn't it

**BEB** · 03-31-07, 01:26 AM

He said the group used trailer hitches to hide the heroin in addition to disguising the drug as food.

This is something I've never understand about drug smuggling. Why do they try to be so clever about it? The complexity of the operation seems, to me, to add to the likelihood of discovery.

Maybe I wouldn't make much of a drug smuggler. Haven't really thought it through.