Lee D’Avanzo, the husband of Staten Island “Mob Wives” star Drita D’Avanzo, has been arrested yet again in a drug bust that took place in New Jersey.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Tuesday that the 52-year-old, who has served prison time in the past for racketeering and attempting to break into a bank vault, was arrested and charged after a year-long investigation. The investigation ended with a total of 24 arrests in a drug ring that is accused of spraying candy, such as Nerds Rope and Sour Patch, with a concentrated formula of THC distillate before repackaging and distributing the marijuana edible products across New Jersey.
While it is not yet known exactly what role he played in the scheme, D’Avanzo was ultimately charged with fourth-degree conspiracy to possess marijuana and fourth-degree possession of marijuana in excess of 50 grams in connection to the bust known as “Operation on the Ropes.”
Monmouth County Chief of Detectives John G. McCabe explained how the edibles may have made their way to children, without being detected by parents.
“The packaging on this THC laced ‘candy’ is almost indistinguishable from regular drug store candy,” McCabe explained. “Your kids may be getting high right before your eyes if you are not paying close attention.”
This latest arrest comes just weeks after the NYPD raided his home on December 20th, and seized two loaded firearms, hydrocodone, alprazolam, two scales, ziplock bags, amongst other items used for packaging and distributing narcotics. According to the criminal complaint, authorities also discovered a large amount of marijuana in the basement and in a kitchen cabinet.
D’Avanzo faced charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm in connection with the December raid as well as endangering the welfare of a child, due to the drugs and firearms being within the same home as his 12-year-old daughter and could potentially be accessible by her.
