NYC cocaine bust features Cristiano Ronaldo nickname stamped on packaging

Much more than 100 pounds of cocaine branded with “CR7” — the nickname of soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo — were seized on Monday afternoon in a luxurious household advanced in the Queens borough of New York Metropolis, in accordance to federal prosecutors.

Christopher Jones and Wykim Williams, both 43 and of Queens, were charged with felony possession of a managed material in the initial and 2nd degrees, legal possession of a weapon in the next and 3rd diploma and criminally working with drug paraphernalia in the 2nd degree.

Queens District Legal professional Melinda Katz explained in a assertion, “These defendants allegedly introduced a huge volume of cocaine into our community even though illegally armed. Operating with each other, law enforcement will normally go after those who would degrade our borough by hoping to set up risky, unlawful enterprises in this article. I want to thank all those people involved in this investigation for their challenging function and endeavours that continue on to keep our neighborhoods protected.”

More than 100 lbs of cocaine branded with “CR7” — the nickname of soccer celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo —were seized on Monday afternoon.
(DEA)

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This is not the initially time Ronaldo’s nickname or likeness has been element of a drug bust. In 2017, the soccer star’s picture was emblazoned on the packaging of 517 grams of hashish resin and 50 grams of cocaine seized by police in Southern France.  

In this newest situation, at about 3:15 p.m. on Monday, area and federal authorities component of an ongoing drug investigation noticed Jones enter the elaborate empty-handed and depart shortly thereafter with a weighted suitcase.

He allegedly placed the suitcase in a blue Dodge Caravan and drove absent.

Jones was apprehended after agents and investigators discovered roughly $200,000 in the suitcase the funds was packaged in a manner consistent with drug trafficking.

Williams was noticed in close proximity to the apartment where the CR7 medication were found, and seized subsequently.

“CR7” is the nickname of soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
(AP)

“It is shocking to discover, in an apartment closet in a large residential advancement across the street from a community park, a stash of cocaine worth $2 million bucks, a handgun and equipment to aid massive scale narcotics trafficking,” mentioned Specific Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan in a statement. “I thank the lawyers, investigators and agents who uncovered this for their diligence.”

Both of those adult males ended up arraigned in prison courtroom on Tuesday, and dollars bail was established at $150,000 for Jones and $250,000 for Williams. 

Condition Law enforcement Performing Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen additional, “I commend our members with the Special Investigations Unit and DEA Group D-43, alongside with our federal and community associates, for their challenging function in uncovering this operation and protecting against far more unlawful drugs from achieving our streets. Via near collaboration, we have dismantled a risky cocaine operation in a populated and occupied household elaborate. These people today experienced no regard for the dangers they, or this operation introduced to this community and beyond. We, along with our partners, are devoted to go on the get the job done that will provide these folks to justice.”

A single loaded handgun and additional than $200,000 ended up also recovered from a seventh-floor apartment in a two-creating 17 story residential elaborate that contains a fitness center, lap pool and roof deck.
(DEA)

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Authorities have been alarmed by climbing drug problems during the pandemic.

“Stimulants like cocaine are the car traffickers are working with to appeal to shoppers,” reported DEA Particular Agent in Cost Ray Donovan in a assertion.  “Cocaine seizures by DEA New York have improved around 200% in the to start with a few months of 2021 in comparison to the very first quarter of 2020.  By means of our investigations and modern CDC stats, we know that neighborhood companies are mixing cocaine with fentanyl which have additional to the alarming overdose premiums nationwide.  I applaud our agents and regulation enforcement partners for their enforcement attempts which ultimately save life.”