Renewed Federal Crackdown On Nyc Clubs

[montebrogan]

Prosecutor Focuses Efforts On Crystal Meth

The Associated Press

February 19, 2004, 9:24 PM EST

Federal authorities said Thursday they were cracking down on rising sales of a drug commonly known as "crystal meth" after finding it was being brought into some Manhattan clubs disguised as mouthwash.

U.S. Attorney David Kelley announced the arrests of six individuals in a probe dubbed "Operation Chelsea Connection" that has already resulted in the confiscation of more than 13 pounds of the drug, enough to provide more than 20,000 doses.

Kelley said the drug, crystal methamphetamine, was a particular threat in the city's gay community, although it might also be a rising problem elsewhere.

He declined to identify the names of any clubs where the drug had been found. At a news conference, he showed a photograph of bottles of a mouthwash that he said had contained the drug.

The drug's use at city nightclubs posed an additional hazard because it increases feelings of euphoria and diminishes rational thought, making it more likely that users might participate in risky behavior, Kelley said.

He called it a "looming and frightening public health problem as well."

Among those arrested on charges of distributing and attempting to distribute the drug were a fashion designer, James Urinyi, and a financial adviser, Gary Kiss.

If convicted of the charges, each could face a maximum of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a $2 million fine.

Gerald Labush, a lawyer for Kiss, declined to comment after his client was ordered released on $500,000 bail. Jennifer Brown, an attorney for Urinyi, also declined to comment after Urinyi was ordered freed on $250,000 bail.

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press