Gothamist: Police Bust Greenpoint Meatery for “Hot Kielbasa” Cocaine – Greenpointers reader JV gives me the heads up on the Polinican Drug Raid on Manhattan Ave!

Here’s the story from WNBC:

A butcher shop in Greenpoint called it “Hot Kielbasa.” But the FBI said the food was code for cocaine.

Investigators said whenever members of the ring had to discuss shipments, they referred to the drugs “Hot Kielbasa.” Police said the suspects were caught on hundreds of hours of wiretaps. NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said, “the ‘kielbasa’ was really cocaine, and thanks to outstanding police work it’s no longer available at the meat market.”

In all, 27 suspects were charged and they are expected to be arraigned in federal court in Brooklyn late Friday.

Officials said the Sikorski Meat Market along Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint was the headquarters for the operation. The so-called “Hot Kielbasa” was then shipped from there and sold across the city as well as parts of Northern New Jersey.

Andrzej Filipkowski, James Murphy William Murphy are accused of helping run the operation.

“This case began with a single report that cocaine was being stored at a neighborhood meat market in Greenpoint,” said United States Attorney Campbell. “Through diligent investigation, we and our law enforcement partners were able to identify and subsequently dismantle a wide-ranging cocaine distribution ring operating throughout our city.”

Also charged was an NYC Department of Sanitation police lieutenant who investigators said is the nephew of Louis Eppolito – the so-called “Mafia Cop” convicted for helping the mafia commit murders and deal drugs.

Rolando Vasquez, a limousine driver, was also charged for allegedly using his limousine to deliver the drugs.

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Mershon said, “This investigation clearly reflects that today’s criminal enterprises have diverse backgrounds and will cross multi-ethnic lines to conduct criminal activity.”

No more ‘Hot Kielbasa’ at Sikorski Meat Market. Well, I assume you can still get hot kielbasa but not the powdery white kind that’ll keep you up all weekend.

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