5 Seized in Beverly Hills Raids; Cocaine, Weapons Cache Found

Five Beverly Hills residents suspected of being major cocaine suppliers in Los Angeles County were in jail Friday, following raids on their expensive homes and a business that police say netted nine pounds of cocaine with a street value of more than $2 million, and a cache of arms.

The suspects--four men and a woman, all foreign nationals--were arrested without incident at their homes Thursday. The raids followed a three-month investigation by Culver City police, in conjunction with Beverly Hills police and agents from the state attorney general’s Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.

Records seized during the raids indicate that the alleged drug ring had been in operation for several years, Culver City Police Lt. Bill Burck said.

In addition to the cocaine, officers using search warrants confiscated several guns, two sticks of dynamite, several expensive cars and $75,000 in cash at three homes, including two on Benedict Canyon Drive owned by Antonio Miano, as well as at the office of Miano Construction Co. at 417 S. Beverly Drive.

Authorities allege that Miano, 36, of Italy, had the greatest involvement in the drug operation.

Also arrested were Paula Mutti, 31, of Colombia; Joseph Mirelli, 37, and Sergio Premoli, both of Italy; and Andreo Dedashi, 26, of Iran.

Booked on suspicion of selling narcotics, Miano remained in the Culver City jail in lieu of $350,000 bail. Bail for the others was set at $250,000, Burck said.