According to Riverhead Town Police, a joint task force comprised of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, East End Drug Task Force, the Riverhead Police Department's detective bureau, the New York State Liquor Authority and the Riverhead Police Department's COPE unit executed a search warrant on February 29 at La Perla Restaurant and Bar in Riverhead, following a six-month investigation into alleged drug activity at the establishment.
Authorities say the warrant, served at about 8 p.m. that evening, resulted in the arrests of three individuals relating to the sale and use of cocaine at La Perla, located at 65 East Main Street.
Christopher Contreras of Coram, 33, was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; James Wicks of Bohemia, 32, charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; and later, on April 4, Eliseo Quintanilla of Manorville, 43 - the restaurant's manager - was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal nuisance, a misdemeanor, for his alleged role in running a business "where persons gather to engage in unlawful conduct."
In addition, La Perla is also facing possible violations of New York State alcoholic beverage control laws, officials say.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500, ext. 312. All calls will be kept confidential.