NYPD browsing Craigslist

[tonynyc]

May 29, 2005 -- The NYPD has busted a drug dealer operating on craigslist, where they say a full menu of popular drugs are being peddled under code names like "tina."
Last week, a man offering "tina" — or crystal meth — on the personals section of the popular Web site was arrested after an almost yearlong investigation that led to three buys and one bust.

Cops noticed the suspicious post, contacted the dealer via ******, and after quickly exchanging information, began to talk on the telephone to set up the phony buys. After three successful street transactions, he was busted at his apartment.

"The number of people doing this online is increasing, especially recently," said Capt. Lori Pollock, commanding officer of the NYPD's Manhattan South Downtown Narcotics District. "You still see street sales, but not as often as you see Internet cases."

The Post found dozens of suspicious ads for "tina," code for crystal meth; "ski," code for cocaine; and "420," code for marijuana, on the New York section of craigslist, which had 1.3 million visitors in April.

One coded post read, "Ski bunny wants to ski this afternoon — anyone have equipment?" Another read, "Looking to party with a great chick named tina: has anyone seen her?" Other posts get cute, using names like "Christina Aguilera" and "Tina Turner" to sell drugs.

Most of the ads were found in the personals section.



Pollock said some of the ads may be from phony dealers — but enough are real, so the NYPD is surfing the Internet to combat the trend.

And it's a tough task. "The lingo is always changing," Pollock said. She said cops interview dealers they've already busted to try to keep on top of the street names.

Many of the dealers use Internet cafes, libraries and store computers to post ads, so they can't be traced.

And identifying suspects before meeting them is crucial, Pollock said. If police know where to find a suspect, they can compile their evidence after a buy and make an arrest later — even if the dealer stops responding.

"A lot of these end in dead ends," Pollock said. "The goal is to identify these people before we meet them for the first buy. If we can't ID them, often we don't go out on it."

Another police investigation, launched after The Post first heard of the trend, ended when cops couldn't trace the dealer.

The dealer wrote in an ******: "We will meet . . . but this is a buisness [sic]. And delivery means u give money i give u tina we part . . . u ***** me again if u want more another time . . . no taste tests or s - - t like that . . . sorry . . . if we r cool then let me know. 1 gram is 200."

Although cyber-dealers are using several Web sites, craigslist is the most popular choice.

Site founder Craig Newmark said he knew there would be problems when he started a free classifieds site in 1995, and said he counts on users to report — or "flag" — suspicious posts.

"There is abuse on the site," Newmark said. "People have been very good about getting rid of crap by flagging."

He added, "If something's illegal, it's just not OK."

[Slinky Bender]

Look at all the "I want to go skiing" posts as well.

But you can see Newmark's usual "It's not my responsibility" crap. I'd love to see him get hit with some sort of "facilitating" rap from somewhere.

[Ozzy]

200 a gram? they be chargin wall street prices. G's r 50-80 bucks at half the bars in crooklyn and queenz.

[justlooking]

It's amazing to me that they can figure out that "Christina Aguilera" means crystal meth, but they're stumped by the "Billy Joel"/"Frank Sinatra" code.

[TC123]

Even 7 years after his death, Frank Sinatra STILL knows what Frank Sinatra means.

[neilz]

It's amazing to me that they can figure out that "Christina Aguilera" means crystal meth, but they're stumped by the "Billy Joel"/"Frank Sinatra" code.
They are not the only ones stumped. I can't count how many times I asked if DFK and DATY is included. I get the answer 'What's DFK and Daty?
Are the craigs list girls that stupid?

[justlooking]

I think it's incredibly foolish to expect that women who advertise on Craig's List will know what any acronyms or code words mean. Most of them don't hang around on whoreboards. How WOULD they know? Do you think your secretary knows what DFK means? (If you do, you should encourage her to advertise here.)

I also think it's counterproductive to use acronyms and codes with women who can't be expected to know them. I think it could scare them off you, by making you look like more of a perv -- a "professional john" -- than you should want.

[Red Sox Nation]

It's amazing to me that they can figure out that "Christina Aguilera" means crystal meth, but they're stumped by the "Billy Joel"/"Frank Sinatra" code.

I think it's getting much too dangerous to continue using Billy Joel and Frank Sinatra. We need to change from musicians to some other category, like sports. How about we go with Bobby Jones and Frank Shorter from now on?

[justlooking]

That'll fool them for sure.

[neilz]

[QUOTE=justlooking]I think it's incredibly foolish to expect that women who advertise on Craig's List will know what any acronyms or code words mean. Most of them don't hang around on whoreboards. How WOULD they know?

These advertisers are not virgins. I seriously doubt that you will find one on CL. Most are pros. There will always be a "find" of someone inexperienced but most of the time they are very active and know what they are doing.

[justlooking]

1. If they're so "active and know what they're doing," then why don't they know the acronyms and code words? Doesn't that prove MY point?

2. You can be a "pro" and not know what people say on PMBs. Believe it or not, MOST prostitutes don't know shit about what goes on on PMBs. Many don't even know there ARE PMBs. Just because someone advertises somewhere ELSE doesn't mean they know what goes on here, on TER, and on ***.

You've really got to remember that the boards are only a tiny part of the commercial sex world. Many prostitutes barely know they exist.

(PS -- I'm the guy who made up the term "DFK", and let me tell you something: I never thought it was going to be some kind of standard term that everyone would know. I wouldn't have thought ANYONE would know about it, except the readers of the particular (joke) post I put it in. I mean, I know prostitutes who don't know what "BBBJTC" means [and they DO it]. Why should they? There isn't some Prostitute School where they teach you that stuff.)

[Slinky Bender]

Although I must say that I'm constantly surprised at which working girl pops up who's a UG reader. Even some of the girls from some of the undergropnd evnts who you wouldn't even think wen near a computer hace told me of reading stuff on UG (although I don't think any of them are in any danger of being tarred with the epithet of "non-pro").

[RoosterC74]

If it is a Public Board or List-then all can see it, and you have to take it as such.

[Red Sox Nation]

(PS -- I'm the guy who made up the term "DFK.

Now THAT is impressive. Kudos to you.

I feel like I'm in the company of the Thomas Edison of hobbyists.

[justlooking]

For sure it's the one thing in my life that I'm proudest of.

[Mr. Sinatra]

Even 7 years after his death, Frank Sinatra STILL knows what Frank Sinatra means.



You bet your ass he does.

[thorntest]

There isn't some Prostitute School where they teach you that stuff.)


SHHHHHHHHHHH! If that gets out, they'll all want their "tuition" money back!!!

[Dvaenport]

"the idea that le needs to read these boards to find out where to bust is laughable. i wish i could get a hold of the list of places le has on file, it would put put anything we have - or even the mamas have - to shame........ there are a lot of fish in the provider sea. the only thing that will get le riled up is a complaint from the community, a report of u-age girls, or an order from the mayor."
Double DITTO

That may be true at THIS MOMENT but the idea that LE is a static organization that ignores internet web boards is ludicrous.

...people are waking up and smelling the coffee!

[Red Sox Nation]

...people are waking up and smelling the coffee!

Coffee?

That's "grounds" for concern.

[Dondee]

:)(not bad for a bean eater):)

[its_mousey]

May 29, 2005 -- The NYPD has busted a drug dealer operating on craigslist,...Site founder Craig Newmark said ... "If something's illegal, it's just not OK."

So how does Mr. Newmark feel about his site being used to facilitate prostitution, and the sale of drugs and other illegal merchandise?

He's more than shocked - he feels it's "just not OK."

lol! He really isn't trying, is he?

*Squeak!*

[Slinky Bender]

200 a gram? they be chargin wall street prices. G's r 50-80 bucks at half the bars in crooklyn and queenz.


I'm watching the news, and they are saying how police found 900 lbs of coke in a house in NJ, and that it's worth $900 million. Well, if my calculations are right, that's about $200 a gram..... the usual police BS for busts. A single pound of coke is what? $10,000? less? So this amount at the usual volume dicsount should be worth what? $4,000,000?

[Tony Pepperoni]

There isn't some Prostitute School where they teach you that stuff.)

Actually, there is a prostitute school:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=732962

[hunter69]

Earlier today I was rooting the Jersey site and saw that a guy posted that 2 friends of his were set up by LE from there. I didn't have time to ***** him for details. So I just tried to find his post and its now gone. I think I was talking to a cop that responded to an ad I put up there a while ago. Anyone else that posts ads on CL think they've gotten LE responses? What are the signs?

[NoBiscuit]

Actually, there is a prostitute school:

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=732962

I believe it. A friend told me one of his providers paid $1000.00 to get trained in the art of carnal pleasure when she was starting out.

[Jack_Maehoffer]

I'm watching the news, and they are saying how police found 900 lbs of coke in a house in NJ.

The drug Cartels switched from condoms and mules to dump trucks. U.S.Customs must have been paid off Ooops!, I mean sleeping at the X-ray machines again.

[justme]

I'm watching the news, and they are saying how police found 900 lbs of coke in a house in NJ, and that it's worth $900 million. Well, if my calculations are right, that's about $200 a gram..... the usual police BS for busts. A single pound of coke is what? $10,000? less? So this amount at the usual volume dicsount should be worth what? $4,000,000?

Probably less than that. If eight balls are still going for a buck twenty then you're talking street of $15,360. I'm guessing margins are better than 1/3 at the last dealer level.

OTOH, if you have 900 lbs of coke, it's probably not stepped on at all. So what, that's like 9000 lbs once it gets to the streets (heh.)

Of course, cops always insert the phrase 'street value' so I suppose they're using some kind of mark to market accounting. We all know how accurate that is.

Half a ton is a shitload of coke. Someone's getting killed over that.

[Red Sox Nation]

Half a ton is a shitload of coke. Someone's getting killed over that.

And let me tell you, it was a real bitch having all that sit in my stomach for four hours.

[Jack_Maehoffer]

And let me tell you, it was a real bitch having all that sit in my stomach for four hours.

Are you the honorary Float for the "Latin Kings" Cinco de mayo parade by any chance?