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New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Tuesday, Oct. 29, the convictions of members of the major drug trafficking ring that distributed heroin and fentanyl, as well as powder and crack cocaine in Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.
An investigation led by the Attorney General's Office recovered more than three kilograms of cocaine and approximately 40 grams of heroin laced with fentanyl, which have a combined potential street value of roughly $350,000.
The investigation also recovered four handguns, two large-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and over $50,000 in cash.
All 25 individuals charged in the investigation have pleaded guilty, and the first defendant was sentenced yesterday to 7 ½ to 15 years in prison for his role in the trafficking operation.
The investigation centered on the activities of several key individuals in the Capital Region who bought and sold large quantities of drugs. Alexander Torres and Yamillet Galarza were central figures in the narcotics distribution network, and they often partnered together to obtain and sell heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in Rensselaer County.
Torres had four different sources of supply for cocaine and narcotics, and he sold the drugs to a network of customers around the Capital Region. Torres purchased heroin laced with fentanyl from a Bronx-based narcotics dealer in custom-designed bags stamped with the phrase “American Gangster” as a brand to distinguish his narcotics from other local sellers.
Efrain Acevado, who has not pleaded guilty, was also a significant cocaine distributor in this operation. During the investigation, Acevado opened a restaurant called “El Coqui” in Troy, and he sold narcotics to customers from the restaurant and used it as a location to stash his drugs and related proceeds.
Defendant Elvis Colon, a/k/a “Minino,” a heroin and fentanyl trafficker in Rensselaer County, was sentenced Monday, Oct. 28, to 12 ½ to 15 years in prison. Colon was convicted by a jury on charges of conspiracy and criminal sale of a controlled substance.
The remaining defendants have all pleaded guilty and will be sentenced soon.
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