Detective Jeffrey G. Streck of Monroe was one of several people swept up in a FBI drug investigation focused on Bridgeport and Trumbull.

Agents monitoring phone conversations became suspicious after hearing the now-suspended detective and other suspects discussing Shrek and pressure-treated lumber, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Significantly, Shrek the cartoon movie character, like the 80-mg tablets of OxyContin, is green, a FBI agent wrote. The agent added he believes pressure-treated lumber is a code phrase for the highly addictive pills, since pressure-treated lumber is green after it's treated with preservatives.

Streck, a 12-year veteran of the Bridgeport police department, 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. Another suspect, Juan Marrero, is accused of operating a large-scale cocaine and crack ring.

The FBI-Bridgeport Violent Crimes Safe Streets Task Force arrested Marrero last weekend after raiding properties in Trumbull and Bridgeport including Marrero's Restaurant on East Main Street. Agents arrested four others on drug conspiracy charges, and confiscated more than 3 pounds of cocaine and $150,000 in cash and jewelry.

Streck's attorney, Peter Truebner, said the detective has not been accused of dealing in cocaine.

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

Streck has been out of work with an injury for more than six months. He has a serious back injury that he suffered apprehending a suspect, according to his attorney.

The detective 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 recorded by the FBI, 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.

Streck was released Thursday 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, which will be waived if prosecutors secure a grand jury indictment.

Also arrested in the weekend raids were Victor Marrero, 38, of Trumbull; Carlos Hazoury, 36, of East Elmhurst, N.Y.; Anthony Erodici, 35, of Bridgeport; and Leilani Marrero, 36, of Trumbull. All were charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine and crack cocaine with intent to distribute, and unlawful use of a telephone to facilitate a narcotics-trafficking offense.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Edward Crowder, who covers regional issues, can be reached at 330-6326.