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Leibys “Celly” Mercedes of the Bronx was found guilty of conspiring to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin in Yonkers following a four-day trial. The jury unanimously found him guilty of distributing the heroin to other dealers in the area.
“As proven at trial, Leibys Mercedes contributed to the rising tide of heroin that is plaguing Westchester County and its vicinity,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman stated. “The verdict should send a message to criminals who seek to profit by flooding our community’s streets with lethal drugs.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt said that the heroin was allegedly being trafficked in Westchester and Newburgh, nothing that “gangs are actively capitalizing on opioid addiction by pushing potent heroin onto our streets. In this case, heroin was allegedly being trafficked throughout Yonkers, Westchester and Newburgh communities, increasing the risks of potential overdoses caused by opioids.”
Mercedes, 37, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin, which carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 9 next year.
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