State Police Charge 15, Seize Heroin In Hudson Valley Drug Trafficking Bust

The New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team and other Hudson Valley law enforcement agencies announced the arrests Wednesday of 15 people charged for their role in a drug trafficking operation.

1,000 bags of heroin, 45 grams of loose heroin, 15 grams of cocaine, two handguns and and $9,000 in cash were seized in the drug trafficking bust, state police said.
Photo Credit: *New York State Police*

Craig Caputo, 37, of Beacon is among the 15 facing charges.
Photo Credit: *New York State Police*

Daily Voice

06/08/2016 11:32 a.m.

In addition, 1,000 bags of heroin, 45 grams of loose heroin, 15 grams of cocaine, two handguns and and $9,000 in cash were seized.

Authorities began to receive information regarding large quantities of heroin being distributed in Newburgh in August 2015. The narcotics were being sold to users from all over Orange County, as well as surrounding counties in the Hudson Valley, police said.

During the investigation, police were able to identify 36-year-old Earl Melvin of First Street in Newburgh as one of the main distributors of heroin in the city.

The 15 suspects were taken into custody on Tuesday.

Charged were the following Newburgh residents: Angela Daniello, 27, Keith Ford, 65, Damien Garcia, 37, Keith Ford, 60, Jamel Johnson, 20, William Johnson, 39, Jermaine Mays, 33, Earl Melvin, 36, Raymond Rivera, 49, Lavar Ruffin, 37, and Boice Wheeler, 60.

Also charged were Craig Caputo, 37, of Beacon, Angel Rodriguez, 41, of the Bronx, Cristian Tejada, 32, of Howard Beach and Eban Carrion, 45, of Middletown.

Involved in the operation and executing search warrants were the Westchester County Drug Enforcement Task Force, Orange County District Attorney's Office, City and Town of Newburgh Police, City of Middletown Police, Town of Woodbury Police and Town of New Windsor Police.

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