DA: Trio, Including Ex-NYPD Cop, Sold Guns and Drugs

MINEOLA, NY (AP) -- A former New York City police officer was arrested for selling weapons he allegedly stole from the evidence room of his Queens-based precinct, Nassau County police said.

An investigation, which began in February, into a possible gun and prescription drug dealer in East Meadow, led to the arrest of 30-year-old Hubertus "Dutch" Vannes, a retired police officer from the 110th precinct.

During the undercover investigation, police were able to purchase two handguns from 44-year-old Anthony Vitta, Vannes' co-conspirator, officials said. The 110th precinct later confirmed that the guns purchased during the investigation were missing from the bureau.

Also, on 11 seperate occasions Vitta was seen selling powerful painkillers including Vicodin, Oxycodone, and Percocets outside of his East Meadow home, officials said.

Vannes was arrested on November 13 after being stopped for a traffic violation. Officers saw Vicodin pills in his car and after searching the vehicle found 76 Vicodin tablets and $2,000, authorities said.

Further investigations found 48-year-old Howard Brass, owner of Meadow Drugs, set up a scheme with Vitta creating fake patient names to obtain thousands of dollars worth of prescription drugs to resell on the streets, officials said. The two also allegedly filled out fake prescriptions using the name of a doctor who had been dead since February 2004.

"This trio, responsible for polluting our neighborhoods with highly addictive painkillers and our streets with dangers handguns, must and will be held accountable," said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Vannes has been charged with three counts of criminal sale of a firearm i nthe the third degree and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth and fifth degrees. If convicted Vannes could face a maximum of 26 1/2 years in prison.

Brass has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, grand larceny in the second degree, insurance fraud in the second degree, and two counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. If convicted Brass faces a maximum sentence of 39 years in prison.

Vitta has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fourth degrees, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third and fourth degrees, and two counts of criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree. if convicted Vitta faces a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison.

Photos by Mona Rivera

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