Parsing the Lingo

Federal agents wiretapping the phone of alleged drug kingpin Alton Coles say that drugs, money and guns were rarely referred to directly. Here's how agents interpret what they heard.

Coles: "There's 95 in that bag and I got five in my pocket. . . . I forgot to put it in that bag rushing."

Agents: Coles allegedly paid $95,000 with an additional $5,000 due for a previous cocaine purchase.

A caller to Coles: "Bitin' on them fish, been hookin' them . . . need more in the morning 'cause they're bitin'."

Agents: Business was brisk; more crack was needed to meet the demand.

A caller to Coles: "Got a nickel from her. . . . I got a stack last time. . . . She owed a deuce four. . . . She owes nine."

Agents: The "nickel" was $500, received from a female drug dealer in West Chester. The "stack" was $1,000; and the "deuce four" was $2,400, meaning that the buyer still owed $900.