Update: A "massive drug ring operation" that each year distributed more than $1 million worth of heroin cut with fentanyl near the Shinnecock Indian Reservation has been taken down, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini. The deadly opioid cocktail was linked to at least five fatal overdoses.
In raids Thursday morning that included more than 200 officers, federal, state, and local agencies worked together to execute five search warrants and arrest 24 people involved in "the network of drug traffickers," who, Mr. Sini said, had sold not only heroin but thousands of pound of cocaine, oxycodone pills, and marijuana. Two additional people already in custody on unrelated charges are also facing charges in this case.
"For far too long criminals have attempted to evade law enforcement and hide on the Shinnecock Reservation, terrorizing the law-abiding members of the Shinnecock Nation, selling drugs, and committing various acts of violence. That ends today," Mr. Sini said at a press conference Thursday evening.
The multi-agency investigation began in December of 2018, following an uptick in criminal activity on the Reservation, including gun violence, gun and narcotic possession, and fatal overdoses. The members of the conspiracy were "selling this poison on the Reservation as well as to nearby residents, selling this poison in our communities, causing death and destruction," Mr. Sini said.
Through the use of undercover officers, informants, and wiretapping, investigators found that the drug ring was selling each month roughly 250 grams of heroin, which has a street value of $83,000, and 200 grams of cocaine, worth $33,000.
The D.A.'s office said William I. Bess III, 35, of Southampton had purchased large quantities of heroin and cocaine and resold the drugs to people on the Shinnecock Reservation and elsewhere. He is charged with fourth-degree conspiracy, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree. He faces a maximum of 12 years in prison.
His alleged supplier of cocaine, Johnnie Booker, 35, of Bellport also faces a maximum of 12 years in prison on conspiracy, narcotics, and weapons charges.
The investigation led to Justin Eleazer, 29, and Ryan Kellis, 32, who police said "conspired to distribute heroin and cocaine to members of the Shinnecock Reservation and other residents of the Southampton area," a statement from the D.A.'s office said. These two Southampton men allegedly used other Reservation members to test the heroin they were selling to ensure its potency and determine its value. Mr. Sini emphasized the point that these men were testing out "potent, potentially fatal drugs" on other members as part of the alleged conspiracy.
Mr. Eleazer and Mr. Kellis were charged with operating as a major trafficker, an A1 felony, punishable by a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. Mr. Eleazer is also charged with conspiracy and driving while intoxicated. Mr. Kellis is additionally charged with conspiracy, four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and six counts of possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
A Bronx man, Benjamin Diaz, 47, and Kenneth Rivero, 34, of Flanders were also identified as Mr. Eleazer and Mr. Kellis's suppliers. Mr. Diaz was also charged as a major trafficker and with conspiracy.
Mr. Rivero was taken in on charges ranging from conspiracy to possession of a weapon in the second degree, considered a violent felony. He is facing eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.
The Shinnecock Council of Trustees issued a statement on Thursday night that said in part that nine tribal members were arrested during the execution of search warrants on the Reservation and that multiple raids had also taken place off tribal land, resulting in the arrest of non-tribal members. "Although the Council of Trustees did not have prior knowledge of the operation, the Shinnecock community at large has suffered greatly due to the opioid and fentanyl epidemic, and tribal members have consistently requested the assistance of outside law enforcement agencies to help combat the issue."
During the search warrants on the Reservation, police seized approximately 120 grams of heroin and fentanyl, 90 grams of cocaine, more than 10 pounds of marijuana — worth about $21,000 — an assault weapon, numerous shotguns and rifles, and drug paraphernalia, including materials consistent with drug packaging, scales, grinders, and cutting agents.
Defendants also include two East Hampton men. Ryan Aldrich, 27, and John Tracey, 25, are charged with second-degree conspiracy. Mr. Aldrich is facing eight and one-third to 25 years in prison, while Mr. Tracey is facing 12 and a half to 25 years in prison.
Other defendants:
• The following Southampton residents were charged with conspiracy in the second degree: Max Byrne, 30, Edward Gumbs, 57, Frank Taylor, 59, and Brandon Gardner, 33, Walter Mims, 33, Derrick Quinn, 49, and Valton Reddick, 51, and Nichole Rosado, 29, and Richard Short, 50. Thomas Halek, 49, Matthew Manzella, 30, and Nicholas Spiegel, 32, all of Hampton Bays, face the same charge.
• Joseph Dowling, 27, of Sag Harbor was charged with conspiracy in the second degree, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
• Trevor Hardin, 29, of Flanders was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, and possession of marijuana in the first degree. If convicted of the top count, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The New York State Police, which has jurisdiction at the Reservation, took the lead on the raids Thursday morning. “These arrests are the result of hard work and determination by our law enforcement partners,” said New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. “Every day we see the impact these harmful substances have on families, neighborhoods, and communities. We pledge to continue to work tirelessly to make sure individuals who are at the root of this illegal activity are held accountable, and the dangerous narcotics and crimes stay away from our streets.”
It was a collaborative effort, Mr. Sini said, that included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon's office, the Suffolk County Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies. The D.A. office's East End Drug Task Force, which includes members of the East Hampton and Southampton police agencies, also played a part. He called it "an all hands on deck investigation and takedown operation."
The investigation is continuing. Assistant District Attorney Ryan Hunter of the Enhanced Prosecution Bureau would be seeking a top charge of operating as a major trafficker for several more of those arrested Thursday, Mr. Sini said.
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our state and federal partners along with the district attorney’s East End Drug Task Force, two dozen people were charged in connection with a drug distribution ring,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. “We will continue to put our resources into fighting the opioid epidemic and focus on taking the dealers, who are fueling the spread of narcotics, off our streets.”
Originally: On Thursday afternoon, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini's office announced the arrest of 24 people in connection with an alleged drug distribution ring on the Shinnecock Reservation.
The D.A.'s office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, the Suffolk County Police Department and members of the district attorney’s East End Drug Task Force conducted a raid Thursday morning. There was a flurry of police activity reported near the Reservation.
The agencies will detail the arrests during a press conference at the D.A.'s office in Hauppauge scheduled for just after 5 p.m. This article will be updated when more information is available.
