DETECTIVE TALKED IN CODE TO GET PAINKILLERS, AUTHORITIES SAY

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- When federal agents tapping phones during a drug
investigation heard a police detective talking about "Shrek" and "pressure
treated lumber," they suspected he wasn't referring to the popular cartoon
character or material for a deck.

Detective Jeffrey G. Streck was speaking in code about OxyContin, a
powerful painkiller that has been widely abused around the country,
authorities said.

"Significantly, Shrek the cartoon character, like the 80 milligram tablets
of OxyContin, is green," an FBI agent wrote in Streck's arrest affidavit.
"As a homeowner and frequent visitor to hardware stores such as The Home
Depot, I know that the ends of pressure treated lumber are green as a
consequence of their being treated with preservatives."

Streck, of Monroe, was presented in U.S. District Court Thursday on charges
he conspired to possess and distribute oxycodone and used a telephone to
make a drug deal. Oxycodone is an active ingredient in the powerful
painkiller OxyContin.

The two charges could bring a combined 24 years in prison and $1.25 million
in fines.

Streck, who joined the Bridgeport Police Department in 1993 and was
promoted to detective in 2003, is one of seven defendants facing drug
charges as a result of an investigation that included intercepts of cell
phone conversations.

Another of the suspects, Juan Marrero, is also accused of operating a
large-scale cocaine and crack ring. Authorities said they seized 1.5
kilograms of cocaine, $150,000 in cash, jewelry and firearms.

"To the best of my knowledge, Detective Streck's alleged involvement in the
conspiracy is limited to possession of painkillers," said Peter Truebner,
Streck's attorney.

Streck has a serious back injury that he suffered while apprehending a
suspect, Truebner said.

Streck, who has been out sick and injured for more than six months, has
been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the federal proceeding,
acting Police Chief Anthony Armeno said. No other members of the department
are involved, he said.

In one conversation, Marrero complains to Streck that one of his customers
has not paid him for drugs and appears to try to enlist the detective to
encourage the customer to speed up repayment, according to the affidavit.
In another conversation, Streck says he has to drop off another "hundred,"
authorities said.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons invited Streck to sit during the
proceedings Thursday because of his back problems, but he declined.

Streck was released on his own recognizance, providing he commits no
crimes, seeks substance-abuse treatment, surrenders all weapons and does
not leave the state without permission. He is scheduled to appear again in
federal court March 16 for a probable cause hearing.