THREE CHARGED WITH RUNNING `YUPPIE' DRUG RING

They are accused of selling amphetamines and cocaine, found at an
Inquirer worker's home.

Prosecutors said yesterday they had arrested the mastermind and two
other people who allegedly operated a "yuppie" drug ring that sold
cocaine and amphetamines in Center City and West and South
Philadelphia.

One of the suspects, Anna Cruz, 44, an editorial assistant at The
Inquirer, surrendered to authorities last week after the District
Attorney's Office reported seizing seven kilograms of cocaine with a
street value of $700,000; 700 pills of an amphetamine known as
Ecstasy, valued at $17,500; and $16,000 in cash from her South
Philadelphia apartment.

Prosecutors said yesterday that they also confiscated $490,000 in
suspected drug proceeds from bank accounts held jointly by Cruz and
Joseph Edward Greco, 30, whom authorities identified as the head of
the operation. The third suspect was identified as Jodie Scalise, 23.
Detectives who searched an apartment in the Spring Garden section that
Scalise shared with Greco found an AK-47 assault rifle and a Luger
semiautomatic pistol, prosecutors said. Prosecutors described Greco as
"a yuppie supplier" and said his clientele may have included students
at colleges and universities in Philadelphia.

George Mosee, deputy district attorney for narcotics, said a
prospective buyer would contact Greco by beeper, punching in a
telephone number and a code indicating the amount the customer wanted
to buy. Mosee said Greco called back to arrange delivery. Scalise,
according to prosecutors, helped arrange the deliveries. Prosecutors
said Cruz profited from the operation but did not appear to have
delivered drugs. Mosee said that Cruz and Scalise were both
romantically involved with Greco and were both partners in the drug
operation. Greco was arrested at 20th and Pine Streets Oct. 1 after he
allegedly sold cocaine to an undercover detective. Scalise was
arrested soon afterward at the apartment she and Greco shared at 1505
Green St. Cruz surrendered the next day. Greco and Cruz jointly own
1505 Green, an apartment building. Both their names appear on a lease
for Cruz' apartment at 1100 S. Broad St.

All three suspects are awaiting a preliminary hearing on felony
charges of drug possession with intent to deliver, delivery of a
controlled substance, and criminal conspiracy. If convicted, each
could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined $100,000.
Greco was in custody, having failed to post $600,000 bail. Cruz was
being held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Scalise, who is seven months
pregnant with Greco's child, is free on $5,000 cash bail.

Cruz has worked at The Inquirer since 1982 as an editorial assistant,
a clerical and administrative position. Her attorney, Gregory J.
Pagano, described her as "an upstanding person within her community."

District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham has scheduled a news conference
today to discuss the case.

(c)1998 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry