Authorities said more than 7,532 grams of methamphetamine, 227 grams of heroin and 688 grams of cocaine with a total estimated street value of $773,654 were seized during the investigation. --Darren Devane, aka Buck, 33, of Hempstead was arraigned October 25 before Judge Tammy Robbins and charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony), three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony), nine counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony), Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony), Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a B felony) and three counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony). Last week, deputies seized more than 30,000 grams of the drug fentanyl from a home on Golden Pond Drive in Clover. "I can tell you that with meth we see demand, and a lot . From breaking news to special features and documentaries, the NewsdayTV team is covering the issues that matter to you. The drugs, Singas said, were intended to be mixed in with other drugs, causing a potentially deadly concoction. The ongoing investigationbegan in December 2018 following the fatal overdoses and a spate of violence on the reservation, including shootings, and culminated Thursday with the arrests, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini said at a news conference at his office in Hauppauge. Parents trying to work through the pandemic left their children at a day care and this is what their kids were exposed to.. "For far too long, criminals have attempted to evade law enforcement and hide on the Shinnecock Reservation, terrorizing the law-abiding members of the Shinnecock nation, selling drugs and committing various acts of violence," Sini said. Jimmie L. Wicker, 85, of Prescott passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023 at his home. If convicted of the top charge, she faces up to 20 years in prison. Singas described the area as a hotbed of illegal drug, gun and gang activity.. Jason Bassett, a Central Islip attorney respresenting Eleazer, said in an email: "Mr. Eleazer maintains his innocence and is completely bewildered by the charges against him. Bobby Lee "Bobcat" Lunsford, 91, of Rosston, Ark., went to be with his Lord and Savior April 5th, 2023. The fentanyl was enough to make 150,000 potentially fatal doses, and was the largest fentanyl seizure in Nassau County history. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Forty people were indicted and 33 of them were arrested following an 18-month investigation. Chief investigative reporter Jonathan Dienst on crime, corruption and terrorism. The DA says they found drugs in the Hempstead house on Pierson Avenue right next to where five to 10 children usually spent their time. The defendant was conditionally released to probation and is due back in court November 1. If convicted of this count, the defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. COLUMBUS, Wis. Columbia County authorities seized an estimated $300,000 worth of illegal drugs last week during a drug bust at a Columbus residence. Our office works closely with all law enforcement agencies throughout Waller County on all warrants of arrest. In addition to the drugs found, authorities said they also found 39 firearms. "Nassau County will continue cracking down on those dealing addiction and violence into our communities.. Authorities said they seized nearly $3 million worth of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and morphine. HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- Dozens of people have been indicted in the bust of a major narcotic trafficking ring that operated on Long Island, including from out of two day care centers,. Opioids were detected in 83 percent of fatal overdoses involving cocaine. Authorities said they recovered what they believe to be more than. According to officials, the 400 grams seized was not heroin, but actually was nearly pure fentanyl. The arrests were the result of a 18-month joint investigation dubbed Operation Honeycomb, which involved the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the U.S. Post Inspection Service, and New York State Police. HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- Dozens of people have been indicted in the bust of a major narcotic trafficking ring that operated on Long Island, including from out of two day care centers, authorities announced Monday. "When you talk about 150,000 people could overdose from this fentanyl, that's like a weapon of mass destruction," Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said. Eleazerand Kellisdistributed cocaine and heroin on the reservation and in the nearby area, Sini said. Documents say the individuals engaged in a variety of fentanyl, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana transactions. 77 just south of Robstown on Wednesday morning has turned into a history-making drug bust. Investigators from the Nassau County District Attorneys office and members of the FBI Gang Taskforce on Long Island apprehended White and seized the heroin, then searched her apartment the next day and found another 300 grams of a white powdery substance. St. Pete drug bust: 21 people arrested for dealing drugs, caught with more than 100 pounds of narcotics by: WFLA 8 On Your Side Staff Posted: Nov 5, 2021 / 10:22 AM EDT HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Fifty people were taken into custody Tuesday after authorities said they seized more than 150 kilograms of cocaine, over 140 kilograms of meth and a list of other drugs.. Nassau County will continue cracking down on those dealing addiction and violence into our communities.. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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A sting operation in the village of Hempstead has led to the arrest of 130 drug dealers and the seizure of hundreds of bags of crack and heroin and a large cache of weapons, state and Nassau. SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - Law enforcement officials arrested seven people, and confiscated two kilograms of cocaine, 20,000 bags of heroin, $180,000 in cash, and multiple firearms as part of a large-scale, multi-agency drug bust in southeastern North Carolina. "Their diligent efforts further our common goal of dismantling whom we believe are drug trafficking organizations by targeting their leadership and soldiers as well as intercepting narcotics and suspected ill-gotten financial gains.". In Hempstead and other economically struggling communities across the country, the Great Recession has left lasting damage, while also spawning a new generation of Bloods, Crips and other. Three people, including Joseph Robertson, an MTA employee, were arrested for trafficking and selling firearms in Hempstead. It is very concerning to us in law enforcement that someone incarcerated in federal prison can have access to this quantity of drugs and can actually direct operations from jail, Singas said. Catch up on the developing stories making headlines. MINEOLA, N.Y. - Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island Firearms Taskforce announced that 11 people have been indicted by a grand jury for their alleged roles in violent drug and gun rings operating in Hempstead. HEMPSTEAD, NY More than 30 people were arrested and charged in connection with a massive drug trafficking ring based in Hempstead, officials announced Monday. One defendant allegedly used the mail to send three kilograms of cocaine that were recovered during the operation, dubbed Operation Honeycomb because a large volume of drugs was allegedly packaged and stored at a defendant's home that was frequently referred to as the "honeycomb" by co-defendants in wiretapped calls. All Rights Reserved. Bail was set at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash and the defendant is due back in court December 5. Police say they recovered an assault rifle, crack cocaine, sedatives, opioids, ecstasy, drug paraphernalia and cash. Cocaine prices rose from approximately $32,000 per kilogram to a peak of $55,000 per kilogram in August 2020. * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts, Suspect arrested in deaths of 2 men drugged due in court, Banks kicks off Summer Rising, talks about changes for NYC students, Shocking video shows suspect assaulting NYPD officer in the Bronx. The ring packaged and sold about $10,000 worth of cocaine every week, according to officials. This was not intended to be sold straight-up fentanyl, Singas said. During the investigation, authorities also bustedBrooklyn-based gun ring. Both Booker and Bess are charged withfelony conspiracy and drug possession and drug sale charges. During the execution of two search warrants, officers learned that two defendants, Lex Lloyd and an un-apprehended co-defendant, allegedly conducted narcotic business from day care centers in Hempstead and Rosedale. Ricky Jackson directed where the fentanyl went to while he was incarcerated in federal prison. --Angelique White, 40, of Hempstead was arraigned on October 30 before Judge Terence Murphy on charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony), Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a B felony) and two counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony). NUECES COUNTY, Texas A traffic stop on U.S. Hwy. The DA says nine of the defendants are charged with being major drug traffickers in what's known as the "kingpin statute." The DAs office worked with the FBIs Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island Firearms Taskforce to executive the busts. They say one fatal overdose in Pennsylvania is connected to the drug trafficking operation on Long Island. Diaz and Kenneth Rivero, 34, of Flanders, supplied the drugs to Eleazer and Kellis, Sini said. Johnnie Booker, 45, of Bellport, was a supplier to Bess, Sini said. Posted: Mar 23, 2022 / 06:22 AM CDT. The entire drug ring including Devane, Jackson and Drew are alleged members of the Bloods gang. The video above is from a previous story. Members of the drug ring sold cocaine, marijuana and opioids, including oxycodone pills, and more than $1 million a year in heroin laced with fentanyl -- responsible for the fatal overdoses -- on . "The people of Terrace Avenue actually sent us a letter, signed by over 500 people, thanking us, for coming into the community and helping them," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. MORE NEWS: Police officers rescue children from burning home in Rockland County. According to detectives, the joint investigation included the department's Special Victims Squad, Gang Investigation Squad, and the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, which conducted the bust at a Baldwin Road home on Thursday afternoon. "In what appears to be a fully functional day care center with children's furniture, toys this defendant was mixing drugs," says Singas. 1:01. Adam Pinner made the stop and the Arrest of one Male. Additionally, He was arraigned on Oct. 29 on one count of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. "I guarantee you that if these 400 grams hit the streets, we would've had fatal and near fatal overdoses, guaranteed," Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said. Long Island authorities recovered 400 grams of fentanyl in . HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A drug and gun trafficking bust on Long Island has led to the largest fentanyl seizure in Nassau County history. The operations ringleader, Ricky Jackson, 41, ran the show from behind bars at FMC Devens federal prison in Massachusetts, where he was serving an unrelated 27-year sentence. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government. (516) 569-4000, To donate or for more information, click here, In the interest of science, Sacred Heart junior digs deep. Investigators on July 19 found 38 grams of crack cocaine at the residence after executing a search warrant. Each of the defendants faces a maximum of 20 to 25 years in prison except for Lewis (who faces multiple potential sentences of at least 20 years) and Jackson, who could be sentenced to life in prison for operating as a major trafficker. Victor Alcorn. Investigators used wiretaps to help make their case. In what appears to be a fully functioning day-care center with childrens furniture, toys, posters, this defendant was mixing drugs, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas told reporters Monday during a news conference outside of her Mineola office. Shariah Usher, 28, of Hempstead, was arraigned on Oct. 25 and charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy and two counts of fourth-degree conspiracy. And about 100 grams of cocaine and 100 grams of crack cocaine were found in the other person's home in Rosedale. Postal Inspection Service; the New York State Police; the Hempstead Police Department; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Here's why food advocates are worried they cant afford it. Nine people were charged with acting as major drug traffickers: Able McTootle, Eric Butler, Willy Matias, Allen Evans, Eric Poston, Matthew Williams (also known as Vernon Howard), Orlando Ramsay, Rodney Highsmith and one more person who has yet to be arrested. Law enforcement personnel on Long Island conducted the largest fentanyl seizure in Nassau County history, officials said, taking enough drugs off the street to potentially have killed 150,000 people. Federal and local law enforcement recovered more than a kilogram of cocaine, half a kilogram of methamphetamine, 14 firearms, and nearly $1.6 million dollars in cash during a drug bust at a two-bedroom home in southeast Dallas last week, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah. CBP April 10, 2023 9:56 am . Bail was set at $40,000 bond or $20,000 cash and she is due back in court December 5. People are dying every day because of the types of drugs these men are accused of selling in Nassau County," said FBI New York Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney, Jr. "We are facing a national crisis in part because dealers and pushers like those indicted in this investigation are all out to make a quick buck. Some allegedly conspired to commit money laundering and illegally transferred money from the U.S. to Mexico to promote the illicit drug smuggling activities, authorities said. Privacy Policy |Terms of service |Subscription terms |Your ad choices |Cookie Settings |California Privacy Rights |About Us |Contact Newsday |Reprints & permissions |Advertise with Newsday |Help. Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas says 40 people were arrested in a major drug trafficking ring on Long Island. If convicted of the top charge, he could face up to 24 years in prison. The alleged ringleader is Ricky Jackson, already in a federal lockup in Massachusetts. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the investigators on this case there is one less crew dealing in death on the streets of Long Island.. Worked with the FBIs Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island the. Bail was set at $ 100,000 bond or $ 50,000 cash and the arrest one... 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