Mt. Kisco Man Pleaded Guilty to Money Laundering Charge

A Mount Kisco man pleaded guilty at a Connecticut federal courthouse to a count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in connection with a drug dealing ring, the office of the state's U.S. Attorney announced. 

Emmanuel Babe, 39, admitted to the charge in court in New Haven before District Judge Janet C. Hall, and that he was part of a ring for Oxycodone.

Babe, who was arrested on Sept. 13, 2011, was accused of working for an un-named Florida-based drug trafficker to drive "large amounts of U.S. currency from New York or Connecticut to Florida." He is alleged to have been paid $750 per trip, with having moved at least $150,000 in cash as part of an attempt to hide the funds' source.

Babe's legal troubles are in connection to a federal investigation called "Operation Blue Coast," which the U.S. Attorney's office says was headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, through its Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. The investigation looked into Oxycodone pill trafficking between Connecticut and Florida. 

The investigated has led to 20 people, including three officers of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and two law enforcement officers, being charged.

The un-named trafficker is accused of purchasing pills from Florida suppliers, having it moved to Connecticut by vehicle or plane and selling them to local dealers. The money would then be returned to Florida by vehicle or plane.

Babe was hired by the trafficker in early 2011, the office said, and he will be sentenced on May 1. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.