Alleged Dealer Pinched In Narcotics Investigation
Detectives slapped the cuffs on an alleged pill pusher from Ozone Park last week who allegedly had hundreds of painkillers and tranquilizers in his possession, prosecutors announced.
George Kurz, 36, of Eckford Street appeared in Queens Criminal Court last Thursday night, Nov. 20, for arraignment on first-, second-, third- and fifthdegree charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Reportedly, he was busted the previous day as part of a long-term investigation.
Queens Criminal Court Judge Elisa Koenderman ordered Kurz held on $50,000 bail and to return to court on Dec. 4. The suspect faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted, according to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown.
“The drugs which [Kurz] is alleged to have trafficked in each have a street value of $20 to $25 a pill and are popular with club patrons despite the fact that they pose serious health risks,” Brown said in a statement last Friday, Nov. 21. “We have seen a huge rise in the use and abuse of prescription painkillers. Drugs such as oxycodone are extremely potent and have a high potential for abuse and death. Shutting down sources such as alleged in this case will save lives.”
Members of the NYPD Organized Crime Investigations Division and the DA’s Rackets Bureau conducted an extensive investigation against Kurz, using court-authorized audio surveillance in the process. Reportedly, officers intercepted conversations between the suspect and others in which Kurz discussed and made arrangements to sell drugs.
Police stopped Kurz on Nov. 19 shortly after the suspect exited his Eckford Avenue home and entered his vehicle. Upon questioning the suspect, authorities noted, a detective observed a small bag containing pill bottles on the front seat.
Kurz reportedly told the officer his wallet was inside the bag. Police found the wallet there alongside a pill scraper with six 30mg oxycodone pills and two pill bottles, each of which contained various quantities of 30mg and 80mg oxycodone tablets.
Detectives executed a courtauthorized search of Kurz’s home later that day and recovered more oxycodone pills as well as Valium tablets hidden inside an open safe in the basement, a bedroom drawer, a kitchen cabinet and on a bedroom shelf. In all, approximately 1,347 oxycodone tablets and 38 Valium pills were recovered.
Det. Gerard McNally and Sgt. James Baratta of the NYPD Organized Crime Investigations Division prosecuted the case under the supervision of Lt. Christopher Fasano, Capt. John Dusanenko, Inspector John Denesopolis and Chief Thomas Purtell.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Brian E. Kohm of the DA’s Rackets Bureau, which is supervised by Assistant District Attorneys Gerard A. Brave, bureau chief, and Mark L. Katz and Catherine C. Kane, deputy bureau chiefs.
