Two former New York detectives who were charged yesterday with carrying out Mafia hits years ago have been denied bond at a detention hearing in Las Vegas, where they currently reside. Both are related to former members of the Lucchese

U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence R. Leavitt said Louis Eppolito and his former partner, Stephen Caracappa, would pose a serious threat if granted bail. The pair, who were arrested Wednesday night at a Las Vegas restaurant, will be transferred to New York; their arraignments have yet to be scheduled.

Eppolito and Caracappa are each charged with eight murders, two attempted murders, murder conspiracy, obstruction of justice, drug distribution and money laundering, and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

Defense lawyers said the men were highly respected officers. They retired and moved to Las Vegas more than ten years ago and now live across the street from each other.

Caracappa's lawyer David Chesnoff read several letters from former New York Police Department colleagues who urged the judge to grant Caracappa's release. "It seems incredible to me that those people who placed (Caracappa) in a position of trust for all those years are now relying on the words of informants," Chesnoff said.