New-York tribune., 1921-03-31
$25O,O00 Drug
Raid Traps 6,
One a Woman
Narcotic Squads Seizure in
Brooklyn Is Said to Have
Come From Germany for
Distribution in Canada
Spaghetti Masks Goods
detective in Sailors Cuise
Says Prisoner and Wife
Told Him of Hiding Place

Detectives of the narcotic division, |
accompanied by an Internal Revenue
ssent. last night in Brooklyn seized |
an illicit store of cocaine, morphine |
and heroin valued at $250,000 and ar
rested five men and woman. The |
drugs are said to be part OF ship
ment sent here from Germany by a |
devious route for distribution in Mon
treal and other cities.
The prisoners, all Of whom live in |
Brooklyn, are Frank Lacato, of III |
Rspelyc Street, who is declared to be
the leader of the band; Joseph Lacato,
Of Al Woodruff Street; Michael Lacato,
OF 2s7 Columbia Street; Dominick
Carrclo. in whose grocery at 326
Sackett Street the arrests were made;
Benjamin Leon, of % President Street.
and Icons wife, Lillian.
Or. Carleton Simon, Special Deputy
Police Commissioner in charge of the
narcotic division. got word several
weeks ago from an agent In Europe of |
the shipment of consignment of con-
fraband drugs. DR.. Simon said the !
drugs were sent from Germany to Italy, |
thence to Spain and then to Rio de
Janeiro, where they were concealed in |
A ship which docked in Brooklyn re-.
Gently.
The goods were smuggled ashore be- |
fore his men could find them, and in |
the hope of preventing their distribu-
ton DR.. Simon sent out detectives dis
gulsed as sailors to haunt seamen's |
lx-p hax
picked up the trail. One of these bo-
gus sailors, Detective Moog, met the
Icons. from whom he is said to have
learned that a trustworthy man with
cash might be able to get drugs in
wholesale lots at Carrello's grocery.
Moog is said to have introduced De-
tcctive Higgins as Swedish sailor,
we'll acquainted in Montreal and de-
sirous of investing $4,000 in cocaine,
heroin and morphine, to be sold in that
city. An appointment was made for
6 D. M yesterday at the grocery. Hours
before the time set Detective Cruger
evaded Joseph Lacato, who is said to
have been guarding a storehouse in
the rear of the store, and secreted him
self among the spaghetti boxes, oil
cans and cheeses stored within it.
Al 6 o'clock Moog and Higgins en-
l.acatos. Leon and Carrello. Higgins
is said 10 have displayed $4,000 and
told the storekeeper it should be his as
soon as the drugs were in his hands.
Carrelo. with Moog and Higgins fol-
owing closely, entered the storehouse
behind III. grocery. He tore the cover
from box labeled "spaghetti,'' reveal
pg. il s charged, several small bottles
-ail later 20 contain cocaine. AS he
did SO Cruger rose from his hiding
rlaer and seized him, Higgins and Moog
lo1q;ng upon him also, so suddenly as
70 prevent any outcry.
Leaving Carrello in Cruger's custody
he other detectives reentered the store
and sisnaled to Detectives Mooney and
Mason and Ralph Oyler, All internal
revenue agent, who were watching out
side They entered with revolvers
drawn and the alleged trafickers sur
rendered. The storehouse was searched
and yielded bottles and packages of
the contraband drugs. including five
gallon can almost full of morphine.
Just as they we're departing with
their prisoners and plunder Mrs. Leon
appeared. apologizing for her tardi-
ness The detectives begged her not
10 mention it and escorted her into the
patrol wagon with the others.