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Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, the FBI Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island Firearms Taskforce made the announcement during a press conference, adding that the seizure is the largest in Nassau County history.
Singas said that beginning in April, to curb drug and gun-related violence in Hempstead, the NCDA, FBI, and ATF began simultaneous investigations into a drug ring and separate gun ring that allegedly operated in Hempstead.
In total, 400 grams of fentanyl valued at more than $130,000, 500 grams of cocaine valued at $50,000 and eight firearms were seized during this investigation.
The 400 grams of seized fentanyl represents 150,000 potentially fatal overdoses. According to the DEA, two milligrams of fentanyl is fatal in most adults.
“The massive quantity of nearly-pure fentanyl seized in this investigation is enough to cause a staggering 150,000 lethal overdoses,” Singas said.
Singas added that on Sept. 15, the alleged ringleader of the eight-person drug ring, Ricky Jackson, an inmate at FMC Devens Federal Prison in Massachusetts, allegedly directed his business partner Darren Devane and girlfriend Angelique White to take possession of what was believed to be 100 grams of heroin stored in White’s apartment.
NCDA investigators and members of the FBI Long Island Gang Taskforce seized the 100 grams from White and searched her apartment the next day - seizing an additional 300 grams of a white powdery substance.
Testing later revealed the total 400 grams – thought to be heroin – were allegedly nearly pure fentanyl.
The drug ring allegedly packaged and sold approximately $10,000 worth of cocaine a week. Additionally, most of the members running the operation are reputed Blood gang members.
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