Puerto Rico to New Jersey drug ring busted

Saturday, October 25, 2003

CAMDEN, USA: Authorities say they have broken up an operation that each year mailed $25 million worth heroin and cocaine in food cans from Puerto Rico to New Jersey. 

According to an Associated Press report, seventeen people, including alleged gang leader Elizer "Sonny" Benitez, were arrested Friday and accused of participating in the drug ring. 

Two kilograms of cocaine, two ounces of heroin, 11 guns and $40,000 in cash were seized in predawn raids in Camden and Philadelphia. The drugs taken have a street value of more than $200,000, authorities said. 

Three of the suspects were arrested in Puerto Rico. 

The drugs were reportedly vacuum-sealed in Puerto Rico in metal cans that also contained fruit or vegetables and mailed to Camden where they were sold in open-air drug markets. 

Twenty state, federal and local law enforcement agencies and 250 officers were involved in the bust. 

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