Offshore Gambling Kingpin Captured Snorting Heroin at NJ Rest Stop
Reputed Genovese crime family member Vincent Coppola was arrested this past week as part of a roundup of individuals tied to what New Jersey authorities call an elaborate racketeering operation.
Coppola is said to have run a multi-million dollar sports betting wire room out of Costa Rica. Within 24 hours of a warrant being issued for his arrest, state troopers found Coppola and two other men snorting heroin Wednesday in a parked Cadillac DTS at the Colonia South Service Area in Woodbridge.
Vincent Coppola’s capture in a single day from the arrest warrant being issued marks a sharp contrast from what transpired with his dad, Michael “Mikey Cigars” Coppola. The elder Coppola remained on the lam for over 11 years after being charged with an assorted array of Mob-related improprieties including attempted murder, a rap he would ultimately beat.
11 individuals were rounded up as part of last week’s statewide bust. Among those arrested, reputed Genovese family capo Charles Tuzzo, 80, of Bayside who was charged with racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, loansharking and promoting gambling.
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
