With 31 arrests, New York State Attorney General Letitia James dismantled two large drug organization

A recent press release from her office revealed that several organizations were engaging in trafficking fentanyl in Central New York and The North Country. The groups were accused of distributing fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in several counties, including Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties.

The scale of this operation is truly remarkable – a total of 31 individuals have been indicted and charged with 192 crimes associated with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. It’s important to remember that these aren’t just numbers; each count represents a life that could have been destroyed, a family that could have been torn apart.

According to the press release from the Attorney General, the information below is presented.

“31 individuals face charges for their involvement in a narcotics trafficking operation. The charges include Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, ranging from class A to C felonies. Moreover, they are also charged with Conspiracy to commit these crimes. Additionally, the charges related to the shooting on West Newell Street are also filed against them.”

Deion Bradley is a 26-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
Bayron Castro, also known as “Hov”, is a 41-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
Jose Cosme, who is 54 years old and from Syracuse, NY.
Meet Jean Carlos Cruz, a 34-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
36-year-old Liverpool, NY resident Miguel Cruz, also known as “G,” is the subject of our attention.
A 29-year-old man from Syracuse, NY, goes by the names Lamell Davis, also known as “Melly,” “O’Melly,” and “Felix.”
A man named Johnathan Delgado, also known as “Green Eyes”, who is 37 years old and from Syracuse, NY, is being discussed.
Malik Evans, also known as “Leek”, is a 35-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
Chad Firenze is a 34-year-old resident of Granby, NY.
Terrah Frederick is a 35-year-old resident of Adams Center, NY.
Meet Jaidyn Freeman, also known as “Jaido”, a 21-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
The individual from Syracuse, NY is known as Shawn Gifford, but also goes by the nickname “Nani”. He is currently 36 years old.
A Syracuse, NY resident named Michael Hudgins is 36 years old.
Xavier Jackson is a 29-year-old from Syracuse, NY.
Brycedon James, also known as “Doodak,” is a 24-year-old individual from Syracuse, NY.
Emmanuel Jenkins, also known as “Lean,” is a 32-year-old individual from Syracuse, NY.
Kwamea Jenkins is a 23-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
Meet Luis Miguel Joaquin, a 35-year-old resident of Bronx, NY.
A resident of Port Byron, NY, David Kalet is 36 years old.
James Kelley is a 35-year-old resident of Liverpool, NY.
Meet Christopher Lanzafame, a 33-year-old from Baldwinsville, NY.
Meet Docciana Mack, a 34-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
Devine Mobley is a 21-year-old individual from Syracuse, NY.
Meet James Odom, a 31-year-old resident of Syracuse, NY.
The individual’s name is Edward Pettiford, also known as “Buster”, and he is from Syracuse, NY.
A 26-year-old man from Syracuse, NY, known as “Kasey” or Keenan Scott.
A 27-year-old man from Syracuse, NY, goes by the name “Ski” – Jamar Sheppard.
Carlos Torres is a resident of Syracuse, NY and is 30 years old.
A 28-year-old man from Syracuse, NY, named Henry Townsend, also known as “Rock” or “Henrock.”
A man named Jeffrey Walts, who is 40 years old, resides in Central Square, NY.
The individual known as “Tay,” whose real name is Tevon Webb, is 28 years old and from Syracuse, NY.

The drug trade’s indictment illuminates the brutal truth and reminds us of the real people affected by these unlawful activities.

Through a joint investigation between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the Syracuse Police Department’s Special Investigations Division, more than a dozen state, local, and federal enforcement agencies were able to successfully neutralize a significant threat to our community.

The investigation, aptly named “Operation Blockbuster” due to the defendants’ distribution of large quantities of fentanyl referred to as “blocks,” resulted in the recovery of over 150,000 packages of the deadly drug. This means that 150,000 potential tragedies were averted. The investigation involved covert physical surveillance, thousands of hours of electronic surveillance, and multiple search warrants aimed at rooting out heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine dealers operating in Central New York and the North Country.

The resources of various agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency Central New York Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Border Patrol were brought together to make this operation a success. Fentanyl, an artificial opioid, is known to be 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Its misuse has resulted in numerous overdoses and fatalities throughout the United States.

Also Read: