As if Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera didn’t have enough problems.
A crew of drug traffickers were using the pop stars’ names as code words for their products, authorities said today after they busted a ring that distributed everything from heroin to Hydrocodone.
To break up the ring, investigators used extensive surveillance and wiretaps that revealed that the dealers were using code words to discuss their drug activities.
For example, powdered cocaine was referred to as “Christina Aguilera,” and crack cocaine was referred to as “Britney.”
Officials said the use of code words suggested that the suspects employed extreme measures to hide their activities.
“Drug traffickers who threaten our communities and inflict untold harm on countless families will be brought to justice,” said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
“This investigation has shut down a major drug network allegedly responsible for the sale of hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal drugs in our neighborhoods, and we will continue to put drug traffickers and kingpins behind bars, where they belong.”
The 10-month investigation also revealed that several suspects also had children with them while they conducted their transactions.
Authorities arrested 25 people for dealing drugs cocaine, heroin and illegal prescription drugs throughout the state. Charges against them include criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy.