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DEA

Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker
Hudson Valley Fire Department Lieutenant Admits To Being Major Drug Trafficker A former Hudson Valley fire lieutenant has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to operating as a major drug trafficker. Orange County resident Paul Smith, age 52, of Deerpark, was sentenced to 10 to 25 years on Wednesday, Nov. 16, said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler. Smith, a paid lieutenant with the city of Middletown Fire Department at the time of his arrest, was also sentenced to five years post-release supervision, the DA's Office said. The former firefighter was nabbed during an undercover investigation dubbed “Operation Bread, White, and Blues," in February …
Warning Issued In Hudson Valley For Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing Fentanyl Warning Issued In Hudson Valley For Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing Fentanyl
Warning Issued In Hudson Valley For Counterfeit Oxycodone Pills Containing Fentanyl Authorities in the Hudson Valley are warning residents of the increased presence of fentanyl in the area, in particular counterfeit 30mg oxycodone pills containing the dangerous drug. Since January 2022, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force has seized several thousand counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl through investigations conducted in the Dutchess County area, Det. Sgt. Adam Harris, coordinator of the task force. In September 2022 alone, the task force seized more than 2,000 counterfeit prescription pills. These pills are typically light blue in color and imprinted “M-30” …
4 Charged, 31 Ghost Guns Seized In Multi-Agency Westchester Bust 4 Charged, 31 Ghost Guns Seized In Multi-Agency Westchester Bust
4 Charged, 31 Ghost Guns Seized In Multi-Agency Westchester Bust Four people have been charged and 31 guns ghost guns seized following a multi-agency investigation into a pipeline that brought guns from Washington, DC to Westchester County. The four were charged following their arrest in June for trafficking of illegal firearms from Washington, DC to Westchester between April and June, said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah. In addition to the arrests, authorities seized 31 ghost guns, as well as two conventional firearms, that were being transported to Yonkers, the DA's office said. The joint investigation focused…
Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School
Men Charged With Murder For Roles In Broad Daylight Shooting Near Westchester School Two members of a racketeering enterprise are facing charges - including murder - for their roles in a brazen fatal daytime shooting in Westchester, federal officials announced. James Bazemore - also known as “TJ” - has been charged with murder for the April 2018 murder of Tasheen Williams in Mount Vernon, while his co-conspirator, Jared “Jay” Mujaahid is facing charges for providing him with the deadly weapon used in the act. According to the indictment, Bazemore and Mujaahid were members or associates of a racketeering enterprise known as Big Paper. “In order to fund the enterprise, prot…
Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use
Dentist In Hudson Valley Admits To Fraudulently Obtaining Oxycodone For Her Own Use A dentist from the Hudson Valley has pleaded guilty to obtaining oxycodone for her own use. Ulster County resident Vivian Letizia, age 63, of Stone Ridge, made the plea on Friday, April 15, according to US Attorney Carla Freedman. In pleading guilty, Letizia admitted that, in December 2019, she fraudulently submitted a prescription for oxycodone for one of her dentistry patients using that patient’s name and date of birth, the US Attorney's Office said. Letizia then obtained the oxycodone from a pharmacy in Woodstock, for her own consumption. At the time Letizia submitted the prescription …
Feds, Police In Westchester, Seize More Than A Ton Of Cocaine In The Area Feds, Police In Westchester, Seize More Than A Ton Of Cocaine In The Area
Feds, Police In Westchester, Seize More Than A Ton Of Cocaine In The Area Three men are facing charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar narcotics conspiracy ring that led to the seizure of more than a ton of cocaine, officials announced. Jorge Aponte-Guzman, age 33, Nelson Agramonte,-Minaya, age 37, and Carlos Maisonet-Lopez, age 32, have been indicted in federal court this week following their arrests in September that led to the seizure of 920 kilograms of cocaine. 
“A seizure of this magnitude underscores the critical importance of working together with our federal and local law enforcement partners in the DEA Westchester Task Force,” Westchester Cou…
Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs
Westchester Man Accused Of Running Drug Deliveries That Led To Fatal ODs Two men operating a narcotics delivery business in downstate New York, including one from Westchester, have been arrested for their roles in running the service, which led to multiple fatal drug overdoses. Yonkers resident Jose Luis Tejada Aybar, age 39, and Allen Alexis Abisada Guzman, age 40, of the Bronx were charged with narcotics conspiracy following three fatal overdoses directly tied to their delivery service. Manhattan US Attorney Audrey Strauss said that it is alleged that Tejada and Abisada’s business resulted in the death of Marsha Clarke in the Bronx, and Martin Banks and Edwar…
Area Duo Nabbed With Drugs, Guns, During Warrants Search, Police Say Area Duo Nabbed With Drugs, Guns, During Warrants Search, Police Say
Area Duo Nabbed With Drugs, Guns, During Warrants Search, Police Say Two Hudson Valley men have been arrested for allegedly dealing drugs through the region following a joint investigation. John Diamond, age 27, of Chester, in Orange County, and Dyland Cronk, age 31, of Beacon, were arrested on Tuesday, May 18, following the investigation by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force along with the Ulster Regional Narcotics Team, the DEA, and Homeland Security Hudson Valley, said Frank Tasciotti, assistant coordinator of the Task Force. The men were arrested following the execution of search warrants in Beacon and Chester. The warrants were a result of an investig…
NY Duo Nabbed With 100 Pounds Of Cocaine Stamped With Nickname Of Sports Star, Authorities Say NY Duo Nabbed With 100 Pounds Of Cocaine Stamped With Nickname Of Sports Star, Authorities Say
NY Duo Nabbed With 100 Pounds Of Cocaine Stamped With Nickname Of Sports Star, Authorities Say Two New York men were allegedly busted with more than 100 pounds of cocaine stamped with the nickname of a world-renowned professional athlete during an investigation by the DEA and the New York Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office. Christopher Jone, and Wykim Williams, both age 43 from New York City, were arrested on Monday, March 29, following warrant raids on a seventh-floor apartment in Queens, said Bridget G. Brennan, Special Narcotics Prosecutor. During the raids, investigators and agents recovered one loaded handgun, and more than $200,000, in addition to seizing the 50 kilograms o…
Man Caught With Stash Of Drugs, Cash, Police Say Man Caught With Stash Of Drugs, Cash, Police Say
Man Caught With Stash Of Drugs, Cash, Police Say A 47-year-old man was busted with an alleged large stash of drugs following an investigation into narcotics sales in the area. Dutchess County resident Joshua Griffin, of Hyde Park, was busted on Tuesday, Feb. 23, by the Dutchess County Drug Task Force and Hyde Park Police Dept. and the DEA during a warrant search in Hyde Park, said Frank Tasciotti, assistant coordinator of the task force. The search warrant was a result of an investigation into narcotics sales taking place at that location and the surrounding area, Tasciotti said.  During the search of the residence, agents seized more t…
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness
Pair Sentenced For Kidnapping, Killing Area Man Who Was Federal Cooperating Witness Two men will spend the rest of their lives in prison after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering a federal cooperating witness from the area in a violent armed robbery more than two years ago. Bronx residents Robert Pizarro and Juan Rivera were convicted in September last year of murdering a witness from Rockland to prevent him from reporting to law enforcement, kidnapping conspiracy, kidnapping resulting in death, robbery conspiracy, robbery, and weapons offenses, arising out of the murder of federal cooperating witness and Garnerville resident Robert Bishun on Sept. 20, 2016. On Tue…
Rockland Man Busted In Shakedown Gets Eight-Year Sentence For Separate Drug Charge Rockland Man Busted In Shakedown Gets Eight-Year Sentence For Separate Drug Charge
Rockland Man Busted In Shakedown Gets Eight-Year Sentence For Separate Drug Charge A 39-year-old Rockland man who was busted earlier this year during a major drug trafficking take-down that included FBI, DEA and local officials, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Kenneth Nunez, of Spring Valley, was sentenced by Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance, said the Orange County District Attorney's Office. In addition to the eight years in prison, Nunez was also sentenced to five years post-release supervision, in connection with the enforcement action dubbed “Operation Bread, Whi…
Man Caught Picking Up 531 Grams Of Mailed Cocaine, Police Say Man Caught Picking Up 531 Grams Of Mailed Cocaine, Police Say
Man Caught Picking Up 531 Grams Of Mailed Cocaine, Police Say A 31-year-old man was arrested after police were able to intercept a package filled with drugs with the help of U.S. Postal officials. The incident took place on Monday, May 13, when the City of Newburgh Police Department received information from the U.S. Postal Service that they intercepted a package for delivery to an address within the City of Newburgh which was believed to contain illegal narcotics, said City of Newburgh Police Sgt. Christopher Lahar. City of Newburgh officers set-up surveillance and watched as an individual, later identified as Randy Montero, 31, o…
Four Major Drug Traffickers Taken Down, 25 Others Arrested During Raids In Area Four Major Drug Traffickers Taken Down, 25 Others Arrested During Raids In Area
Four Major Drug Traffickers Taken Down, 25 Others Arrested During Raids In Area In a dramatic movie-style series of raids, a total of 29 people were arrested Tuesday during a drug enforcement action dubbed "Operation Bread, White and Blues." The bust went down early Tuesday morning as members of the DEA, FBI, the New York State Police, and the Orange County Sheriff's Office, raided several locations, including an Orange County firehouse in the City of Middletown in which one of the main dealers was an acting fire lieutenant, said Trooper Steven Nevel. Of the 29 arrested, three have been charged with the felony operating as a major trafficker, including the lieutenant, …
Dozens Arrested After Series Of Raid Throughout Hudson Valley By Feds, Local Police Dozens Arrested After Series Of Raid Throughout Hudson Valley By Feds, Local Police
Dozens Arrested After Series Of Raid Throughout Hudson Valley By Feds, Local Police This story has been updated. Officials are expecting to arrest more than 20 people in a drug sweep focusing on cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana that includes suspects in Rockland, Orange and Westchester County. DEA Special Agent Erin Mulvey said a series of raids focused on drugs were conducted, and are ongoing Tuesday throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. One raid was conducted early Tuesday at a Nyack Apartment complex located at 52 Gail Drive, Mulvey said. Raids were also conducted in Middletown, she said. The raids included 193 members of the state police, 30 FBI agents and 20 DEA…
Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Calls Being Made By Scammers Pretending To Be Cops, Municipal Officials Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Calls Being Made By Scammers Pretending To Be Cops, Municipal Officials
Scam Alert: 'Spoofing' Calls Being Made By Scammers Pretending To Be Cops, Municipal Officials Police are alerting residents to a "spoofing" scam in which the callers pretend to be police officers or other municipal officers in an attempt to solicit money and sensitive personal information. On Friday, Jan. 25, a town resident reported receiving a suspicious phone call that appeared to originate from the Greenburgh Police Department, Chief Chris McNerney said on Saturday, Jan. 26.  The caller claimed to be a Greenburgh police officer and wanted to discuss the woman's credit report.  "Fortunately, the resident became suspicious and hung up the phone," McNerney said. "We…
Wyckoff PD: Arrests Made In Casino Winner Car-Bump Robbery On Route 208 Wyckoff PD: Arrests Made In Casino Winner Car-Bump Robbery On Route 208
Wyckoff PD: Arrests Made In Casino Winner Car-Bump Robbery On Route 208 Two men were in custody after authorities said they robbed a casino gambler by bumping his car from behind on Route 208 in Wyckoff and claiming they were police officers. The driver told police he’d left the Empire City Casino in Yonkers around 5:30 a.m. Sept. 2 and was headed north on the highway when his vehicle was struck from behind near Cedar Hill Avenue. One of two men who got out of the other car “identified himself as a law enforcement officer and instructed him to place his hands on the trunk of his vehicle,” Wyckoff Police Chief David Murphy said. “They then held him while they r…
Here's Where You Can You Go Near You On National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Here's Where You Can You Go Near You On National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
Here's Where You Can You Go Near You On National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Thousands of spare pills and other drugs will be collected throughout the country as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. On Saturday, local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. nationwide. It is the 16th iteration of the program. According to the DEA, “The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.2 million Americans misused contro…
Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust
Federal Judge Orders Spring Valley Man Held In 7-Pound Heroin, Fentanyl-Related Bust A federal judge in New Jersey ordered a Spring Valley man held without bail after authorities said they found more than seven pounds of heroin and a fentanyl precursor in his car and home. Authorities learned that David Valle Campos, 45, “planned to sell a substantial quantity of either heroin, fentanyl or both to a buyer in the Trenton area,” U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Craig Carpenito said. Investigators stopped Campos on Monday as he drove from a parking lot in Hamilton Township after meeting with another individual, the U.S. attorney said. In his vehicle they found 1.2 kilograms of 4-…
Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say
Westchester Doctor, Pharmacist Illegally Sold Oxycodone Pills, Feds Say A doctor and pharmacist from Westchester were among seven medical professionals that have been accused of illegally distributing millions of oxycodone pills. Yonkers resident Nadem Sayegh, a doctor with offices in Westchester and the Bronx, and Marc Klein, who owns a pharmacy in White Plains, are each facing time behind bars for their roles in a pill mill that has been under investigation. Both are scheduled to appear in Manhattan federal court on Thursday. According to investigators who announced their arrests, Sayegh wrote illegal prescriptions in order to live a life of luxury.  He “mai…
Paramus Bust: 7 Pounds Heroin, 2+ Pounds Cocaine, $40G Found Hidden In Car Paramus Bust: 7 Pounds Heroin, 2+ Pounds Cocaine, $40G Found Hidden In Car
Paramus Bust: 7 Pounds Heroin, 2+ Pounds Cocaine, $40G Found Hidden In Car An unemployed Massachusetts couple had nearly seven pounds of heroin, more than two pounds of cocaine and $40,000 in drug proceeds stashed in hidden compartments of their vehicle when they were stopped in Paramus by members of a joint county, state and federal task force, authorities said. Candido Tomasini, 35, and Maribel Roman, 40, of Fitchburg were both ordered held in the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing this Friday, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo said. Prosecutor’s detectives teamed up with agents from the DEA, the New York State Drug Enforcement Task Force, …
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Trafficking Cocaine Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Trafficking Cocaine
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Trafficking Cocaine A Hudson Valley man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for trafficking cocaine out of a Fairfield County hotel. John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Stony Point resident Dominick Pacifico, 34, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release after pleading guilty to individual counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 500 grams of cocaine. Durham said that in May last year, DEA officers from the Bridgeport Hig…