By Howard Koplowitz
A now-shuttered Briarwood restaurant allegedly run by a gang member had cocaine, heroine and marijuana on the menu, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
A dozen people, including reputed members of the Trinitarios, Latin Kings and Bloods gangs, were charged last week after an undercover, 10-month investigation that found The La Braza, at 123-04 Metropolitan Ave. in Briarwood, engaged in narcotics trafficking, Brown said.
“Operation Dinner Out” uncovered four guns, including a defaced Colt .38-caliber revolver; a defaced sawed-off Mosburg shotgun; a .390 Sig Sauer semi-automatic rifle; and a Remington 870 shotgun with a scope along with more than a kilo of cocaine, more than an ounce of heroin and 2 ounces of marijuana, Brown said.
More than $3,500 was also seized during the bust, the DA said.
“This long-term investigation, which involved court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and the execution of search warrants, underscores the continuing commitment by my office and the New York Police Department to keep drugs off of our streets,” Brown said in a statement. “Drugs and guns are a deadly combination. We are committed to continue to employ aggressive and innovative tactics to track down and prosecute drug dealers, gang members and other criminals who seek to terrorize our communities.”
The investigation started in October 2010 after the NYPD learned that various illegal drugs were available for sale at The La Braza, which was owned by alleged Trinitarios gang member Brian Romero, 31.
Romero, an Astoria resident, was one of nine Trinitarios members charged in the case along with one member of the Latin Kings and another from the Bloods.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly thanked the authorities that worked together “to shut down this rogue restaurant and bring these gang members to justice.”
“When illegal drugs are sold at a restaurant, we can expect that violence associated with guns, drug sales and gang activity will also show up on the menu,” Kelly said.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
