When cops raided a suspected drug operation in Washington Heights last week, they found that the alleged dealers had a little business going on the side: a day care service. Police arrested Donald Crespo and Akwasiba Radellant not just for drug possession, but child endangerment because the fire alarms in the apartment were deactivated and pacifiers were dirty.
One three-month-old child was in the apartment during the raid and has since been returned to her parents, who had to go to the police station to collect her. In addition to the child and the substandard day care environment, police seized three pounds of marijuana, a scale, cash, and plastic bags likely used for distribution.
Radellant is actually an authorized child care professional and had her license hanging on the wall of her drug den apartment. In a crowded city, accommodations have to be made for dual-use commercial space. This is reminiscent of the secret marijuana farm that was being cultivated upstairs from an Eldridge St. nursery school.
