Three Brooklyn drug dealers — and their pet alligator named “Snapple” — were caged after investigators uncovered their lucrative prescription pill operation, authorities said on Friday.
NYPD detectives confiscated 668 oxycodone pills, $33,000 in cash, two firearms and the three-foot long alligator after they issued a search warrant at a Canarsie home on New Years Eve.
They were acting on information about illegal drug trafficking in the area, sources said.
Investigators found one of the residents, Sharper Thomas, 40, sitting up in his bed with a bag of pot, $1,440 and two loaded pistols – a Glock 23 C .40 Caliber and a Cobray M11 .9mm, sources said.
The officers were “surprised” when they spotted “Snapple” the alligator moving about nearby, one source said.
Thomas’ roommates, married couple Samantha Davis, 37, and Tony Davis, 34, ran out of their room, but were nabbed as they tried to flee the apartment, sources said.
Their room contained 668 oxycodone pills and $32,000 in cash.
The Davis’ were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Thomas was charged with two counts of weapon possession and multiple counts of drug possession, according to the city’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan.
Prosecutors are reviewing whether they can charge the suspects with illegally possessing a pet alligator, which is now being housed at the ASPCA.