Long Beach police break up loan-sharking operation

Long Beach police arrested three men on Monday morning after investigators uncovered a drug and loan-sharking operation that led to the seizure of more than $100,000 from a home on Minnesota Avenue, part of an extensive joint investigation that involved Nassau County police, the DEA and the District Attorney’s office.

According to Police Commissioner Thomas Sofield Sr., Long Beach police arrested 51-year-old Minnesota Ave. resident Brian O’Neill, along with two other men for their alleged involvement in a “lengthy” narcotics and loan-sharking operation.

The Long Beach Police Department, in conjunction with Nassau County police, the District Attorney's office and the Drug Enforcement Agency conducted an investigation that led to the arrests of O'Neill as well as 48-year-old Island Park resident Arthur Corso and Baldwin resident Richard Gould, 42.

Investigators seized three automobiles and more than $100,000 during the course of the investigation. Police did not say how long the investigation was conducted, whether any drugs were discovered in the home or release details about the scope of the loan-sharking enterprise. While the Police Department did not immediately release specific charges, the defendants were scheduled for arraignment in Long Beach City Court on Tuesday. A spokeswoman for the Long Beach Police Department said that further details about the investigation were pending.

It was the second large-scale bust in Long Beach over a span of three days. Last Friday, Long Beach police arrested 27-year-old Joshua Charczenko, of East Broadway, after detectives seized multiple pounds of marijuana, a shotgun and drug paraphernalia from the home.