Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-29
Washington, New York, Viii
mington and Norfolk Dis
closed as Headquarters.
BUSINESS ESTIMATED
AT So, 800, 900 YEARLY
Morphine and Heroin in Unlimited
Quantities Struggled From
Turkey.

The arrest of 20 persons, charged with
operating on a Nationwide scale five
of the largest dope rings ever exposed
in the United States, was announced
today by the Treasury Department.
Washington, New York, Wilmington,
Del, and Norfolk, Va, were disclosed
as headquarters for group of men
and women, for the most part Of
italian descent, who smuggled morphine
and heroin from Turkey over q period
Of years and distributed it in whole
sale and retail quantities throughout
the country.
The group acted Independently in
five separate organizations. Treasury
officials estimated that in the aggre-
gate they did an annual business of
at least $780, 900 and that their subtle
operations stretched into hundreds OF
cities in the Nation.
In disclosing the activities Of the
dope-smuggling organizations today,
Harry j. Anslinger, acting director OF
the Federal Narcotic Bureau, revealed
that a Washington detective, Sergt.
Robert A. Sanders, furnished informa-
ton about eight weeks ago which set
in motion the machinery that finally
brought about the arrests and confisca-
tons OF narcotics valued at 100000.
Reported Large Offer.
Sergt. Sanders quietly reported about
two months ago that a surprisingly
large amount Of morphine has been Of
fered for delivery In the Washington
area, and that certain groups were
negotiating for its purchase. Federal
agents. headed by J. B. Greeson, mar
cotic agent here, Immediately began an
investigation which led them to various
cities along the Atlantic Coast and soon
involved the son of an Italian marquise
and two well known political leaders
among the Italian colony In Norfolk,
Va.
The climax in the investigation was
reached last Saturday, when agents In
New York discovered 1000 ounces of
morphine, valued at $l,000,O0O stored
aboard the steamship Inoko of the
United States Shipping Boards Black
Diamond Line. The contraband had
been camoufaged as electrical ma
chinery"
was matter of hours before the prin-
cipals were linked up with the snug
Cling operations and arrests quickly
followed. Tony Lapinto, described by
Treasury agents as the son of an
Italian marquiSe, was arrested Saturday
morning. along with his lieutenant,
Frank Desio. The two men operated
from Lapinto's home on Long Island.
Controlled Unlimited Supply.
Lapinto, who is known also as BLACK
Tony" was able, Treasury agents said,
to deliver ANY quantity of morphine
or heroin to any point in the United
States at any time" This statement
by the Narcotic Bureau chief occa-
stoned considerable surprise among
other Treasury officials, but Mr.. Ans
linger said that agents had indisputable
evidence that quantities of narcotics
controlled by Lapinto were unlimited.
Virtually all of the contraband dis
tributed by all the rings was struggled
In from Turkey, Treasury officials said
cleverly camouf1aged as legitimate mer-
chandiSe. LapintO was said to be the
largest operator.
Two Italians were arrested in WASH
ington last Saturday, Joe Anzellons and
Pete D'Agnostina. When agents ar
rested them they had in their possess
sion so ounces of heroin and an auto
mobile, officials said. They were ofi-
cially described as lieutenants of Sam
Ferera, leader OF a ring, who was ar
rested in New York.
A third ring operated out of New
York, fourth had its base on Long Is
land and ofilces in New York. and a
fifth also operated out of New York
through two well known Italians In
Norfolk. the Treasury Department an
nounced.
The Norfolk phase, which was cleared
up only late yesterday, had its connec-
ton with an Italian woman, Miss Es-
poSito, who is said to have handled
wholesale quantities out of New York
The woman is under arrest, and the two
Norfolk men described as her lieuten-
ants were arrested in Norfolk yesterday
afternoon.
Woman Described as Brains"
Mr. Anslinger has their names as
Boss" VersaSee, president of a national
Italian organization. and Joe Reportella.
Both were described as political leaders
The woman was described as the
brains" of the ring. and the Norfolk
men, according to the Narcotic Bureau.
acted as her agents in distributing the
struggled narcotics.
The fourth ring, the Treasury said,
was directed by j. A. Swinford, alias J.
A. Kincaid, alias Reno Red" from Of
fees In the Woolworth Building In New
York. Mr. Anslinger said Swinford was
arrested while arranging large ship
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