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Sanitation Workers Caught In Staten Island Drug Bust


By

Jaya Saxena

Published Jan 22, 2011

Modified Oct 12, 2017


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By

Jaya Saxena

Published Jan 22, 2011

Modified Oct 12, 2017


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Four Staten Islanders, including three sanitation workers, were arrested early this morning for selling oxycodone and cocaine across the borough. Sanitation pair Gino Colella, 29, and Robert Miller, 30, are accused of selling the drugs to undercover cops on numerous occasions between April and December 2010, and their supervisor Bernard Basile is accused of supplying Miller with oxycodone on at least one occasion. The two were allegedly doing so well with their side business that they turned down opportunities for overtime. Finally, more people to blame for the awful blizzard response!

Margaret Pardee was also accused of supplying Miller with drugs, and all are charged with varying counts of criminal drug sale. Colella and Miller are also charged with criminal drug possession. District Attorney Daniel Donovan said, These three men are entrusted and paid by the taxpayers in this city to keep our streets clean—not to fill them with illegal drugs. They are a disgrace to their hard-working colleagues in the Sanitation Department." Police found a straw with cocaine residue and bags of marijuana in Colella's car when he was arrested this morning.

A Sanitation Department spokeswoman says these employees have not yet been suspended, and her husband believes police were wrong in arresting Pardee. He said, "She's a student and a mom. I think they made a mistake." All four are scheduled to be arraigned today.

Tagged

cocaine

drug bust

oxycodone

sanitation department

staten island


Jaya Saxena

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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