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New York Attorney General Letitia James said the "takedown" occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in New York City and Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.
According to James, the operation was responsible for selling large quantities of powder and crack cocaine, as well as fentanyl and heroin.
The investigation led to the recovery of more than 4.5 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of approximately $450,000, James said.
The year-long investigation included covert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps over 10 separate target phones aimed at rooting out narcotics traffickers operating throughout the Capital Region and elsewhere in the state.
It centered on the activities of Rensselaer County resident Heather Thompson, age 38, of Troy, who purchased cocaine by the kilo to distribute to her network of dealers throughout Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties, the AG's Office said,
Thompson bought cocaine from several different sources, including Jermaine Moreno of Brooklyn, who was charged with operating as a major trafficker, which carries a mandatory life sentence in state prison.
James said Moreno would drive kilos of cocaine from New York City to sell to Thompson. After he delivered the drugs to her house, Thompson would divide them into quantities ranging from 10 to 100 grams and contact her buyers, letting them know she had the product available.
The investigation revealed that Thompson primarily conducted business in Saratoga County, selling at a local pub and bowling alley.
Those charged in today’s indictment include:
- Alexander Bayne, Washington County, South Glens Falls/Hudson Falls – age 35 years old
- Conrad Bayne, Saratoga County, South Glens Fall – age 59
- Zachary Bessette, Warren County, North Creek – age 33
- Kevin Cooper, Warran County, Glens Falls – ag 38
- Trevor Harris, Saratoga County, South Glens Falls – age 35
- Ronnie Luna, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 42
- Lindsey Mattison, West Rupert, Vermont – age 34
- Ryan Megna, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 42
- Jermaine Moreno, Brooklyn – age 48
- Jack Moulton, Saratoga County, South Glens Falls – age 35
- Cassidy O’Connell, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 30
- Wesley Reed, Jr., Rensselaer County Troy - age 59
- Wesley Reed, III, Rensselaer County, Troy – age 38
- Christine Sondermeyer, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 53
- Melissa Stearns, Columbia County, Hudson Falls – age 38
- Lonsdale Stuffle, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 30
- Mackenzie Sumner, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 37
- Heather Thompson, Rensselaer County, Troy – age 38
- Jackson Tucker, Rensselaer County, Troy – age 43
- Christopher Wern, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 41
- Walter Winchell, Warren County, Glens Falls – age 49
The investigation was directed by Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Detective John Rich, Warren County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brandon Kommer, Saratoga Springs Police Department Detective John Guzek, and OCTF Detective Michael Connelly, with the assistance of the U.S. Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.
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