Category: CNN Regional

By Jesse Zanger, Carolyn Gusoff

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — More than 300 kilos of cocaine were seized in Nassau County in one of the largest drug busts ever on Long Island, officials said Tuesday.

Officers on patrol last week spotted what they thought was a drug deal taking place in a Holiday Inn parking lot on Sunnyside Boulevard in Plainview.

“They opened up the trunk on the pickup truck and this is what you got — 312 kilos of cocaine,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

The driver and passenger were charged with drug possession. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said she’s seeking upgraded charges of major drug trafficking for Daniel Santana of Glen Cove and Michael Viera of Florida, who have pleaded not guilty.

Their attorneys and family members had no comment when asked about the charges. Police say both men are also facing murder charges in their native Puerto Rico.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the officers’ training and street smarts for the bust.

“This was a head’s-up operation by our police officers. They understand how drug dealers operate. And it’s because of their observations that they were able to recover this amazing amount of cocaine — $21 million — in excess of that probably,” Blakeman said.

“Look at it all here in this auditorium. It is staggering,” Donnelly said. “When this all gets cut up and sold, these individuals would have been very, very rich.”

The investigation continues into where the drugs came from and where they were going. Police said they believe they foiled a major distribution pipeline.

“This massive amount of drugs, they were couriers,” Ryder said.

“This historic seizure saved lives. There is no doubt about it, because this didn’t get on the street and cause a fatal overdose to one of our children,” Donnelly added.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WCBS

By Jesse Zanger, Carolyn Gusoff

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WCBS) — More than 300 kilos of cocaine were seized in Nassau County in one of the largest drug busts ever on Long Island, officials said Tuesday.

Officers on patrol last week spotted what they thought was a drug deal taking place in a Holiday Inn parking lot on Sunnyside Boulevard in Plainview.

“They opened up the trunk on the pickup truck and this is what you got — 312 kilos of cocaine,” Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.

The driver and passenger were charged with drug possession. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said she’s seeking upgraded charges of major drug trafficking for Daniel Santana of Glen Cove and Michael Viera of Florida, who have pleaded not guilty.

Their attorneys and family members had no comment when asked about the charges. Police say both men are also facing murder charges in their native Puerto Rico.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the officers’ training and street smarts for the bust.

“This was a head’s-up operation by our police officers. They understand how drug dealers operate. And it’s because of their observations that they were able to recover this amazing amount of cocaine — $21 million — in excess of that probably,” Blakeman said.

“Look at it all here in this auditorium. It is staggering,” Donnelly said. “When this all gets cut up and sold, these individuals would have been very, very rich.”

The investigation continues into where the drugs came from and where they were going. Police said they believe they foiled a major distribution pipeline.

“This massive amount of drugs, they were couriers,” Ryder said.

“This historic seizure saved lives. There is no doubt about it, because this didn’t get on the street and cause a fatal overdose to one of our children,” Donnelly added.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Elle McLogan

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A flooded manhole has turned a loading dock into an ice rink in Queens.

“The water has nowhere to go, so it’s 24/7 of just constant flow,” Mike Ciuffo said.

Ciuffo, president of food wholesale company M&V Provisions, says the mystery leak has been gurgling for more than a month, posing added risk to staff, customers, and delivery drivers since the snowstorm and deep freeze.

“We’ve had a few people fall,” he said.

He says a tractor trailer full of eggs was unable to complete its delivery.

“He got stuck on the ice. He was here for about three hours before they finally towed him out,” co-owner Joe Vallario said.

“We need those eggs,” loading dock manager Albert Arana said.

It comes as a blow to the long-running Ridgewood family business, which delivers ingredients and kitchen supplies across the Tri-State Area.

“It’s thousands of bodegas, delis, restaurants,” Ciuffo said.

Staff tried using sandbags to dam up the manhole.

“It didn’t quite work as well as we hoped for, but we’re trying to do anything we can to stop the flow,” he said.

He says repeated 311 requests have gone nowhere.

“It’s been over a month now. We’re getting no response from the city at all. This morning, we had to chase away about half a dozen tractor trailers that couldn’t get in,” Vallario said. “We’re trying to supply the city with food, and it’s creating all sorts of problems.”

The Department of Environmental Protection told CBS News New York that it is actively investigating and that it remains unclear whether the issue is a water main break or other condition.

“No one’s reached out to us at all. No one,” Vallario said.

Management worries about the ripple effect for delis and their customers.

“The impact now is we cannot receive products. No delivery driver will take a chance to back in,” Ciuffo said.

“As long as it stays below freezing, it’s a problem, and there’s no signs of it warming up anytime soon,” Vallario said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WLNY

By Elle McLogan

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A flooded manhole has turned a loading dock into an ice rink in Queens.

“The water has nowhere to go, so it’s 24/7 of just constant flow,” Mike Ciuffo said.

Ciuffo, president of food wholesale company M&V Provisions, says the mystery leak has been gurgling for more than a month, posing added risk to staff, customers, and delivery drivers since the snowstorm and deep freeze.

“We’ve had a few people fall,” he said.

He says a tractor trailer full of eggs was unable to complete its delivery.

“He got stuck on the ice. He was here for about three hours before they finally towed him out,” co-owner Joe Vallario said.

“We need those eggs,” loading dock manager Albert Arana said.

It comes as a blow to the long-running Ridgewood family business, which delivers ingredients and kitchen supplies across the Tri-State Area.

“It’s thousands of bodegas, delis, restaurants,” Ciuffo said.

Staff tried using sandbags to dam up the manhole.

“It didn’t quite work as well as we hoped for, but we’re trying to do anything we can to stop the flow,” he said.

He says repeated 311 requests have gone nowhere.

“It’s been over a month now. We’re getting no response from the city at all. This morning, we had to chase away about half a dozen tractor trailers that couldn’t get in,” Vallario said. “We’re trying to supply the city with food, and it’s creating all sorts of problems.”

The Department of Environmental Protection told CBS News New York that it is actively investigating and that it remains unclear whether the issue is a water main break or other condition.

“No one’s reached out to us at all. No one,” Vallario said.

Management worries about the ripple effect for delis and their customers.

“The impact now is we cannot receive products. No delivery driver will take a chance to back in,” Ciuffo said.

“As long as it stays below freezing, it’s a problem, and there’s no signs of it warming up anytime soon,” Vallario said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Elle McLogan

Click here for updates on this story

    NEW YORK (WCBS) — In glittering costumes, a group of women aged 70 and up dance in styles from traditional to K-Pop. The members of the senior dance team at Korean Community Services practice in Flushing twice a week and perform at events citywide.

“They choose their own music. They also design and select their own fabrics,” said Helen Ahn, the managing director of aging services.

The dancers say they make each other better.

“I’m not staying home. I’m active,” Clara Kim said. “Whatever they’re doing, I’m doing, too.”

These days, they’re memorizing steps for upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations, rehearsing with styled hair and makeup.

“Especially when I have a ponytail, I feel very young, about 10 years younger,” Jeehyun Kim said.

Beyond the walls of their church basement rehearsal space, the dancers have experienced hardship, from the loss of a partner to a cancer diagnosis.

“It’s more than just a dance performance,” Ahn said. “They heal each other.”

Moodon Ha’s child has noticed how radiant she looks since she joined the team.

“I’m so happy every day,” Ha said.

After practice, the women come together to enjoy meals and play games.

“We share our life,” Jeehyun Kim said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.