NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A drug trafficking ring in the Hudson Valley that illegally sold cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills was dismantled, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Wednesday.
Xavier Grant, 22, Antawone West, 25, Michael Jones, 33, and Kenyi Torres, 45, were charged with multiple felonies for narcotics and firearms offenses in a 122-count indictment.
The 11-month investigation included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, analysis of voluminous electronic evidence, including cellphone communications, covert video and audio recordings, and other traditional investigative techniques, authorities said.
According to officials, the crew frequently utilized coded and cryptic terminology in an attempt to disguise their illicit activities, such as referring to orders of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl as "blues," "blueberries," or "perks," a nod to their legitimate, prescription medication counterparts.
Grant, West, Jones, and Torres obtained cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl for further distribution. Additionally, the investigation revealed that all four worked together to store, supply, and distribute the narcotics in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties.
The narcotics were stored in various stash locations in residential areas of Poughkeepsie and often sold in parking lots.
The investigation into the narcotics trafficking network led to the recovery of two and a half kilograms of cocaine, thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl weighing over two and a half kilograms, and three and a half kilograms of powder fentanyl.
Investigators also recovered drug paraphernalia, including scales, ziplock bags, glassine envelopes, and other packaging materials used to package and measure narcotics, two "kilo" presses, and approximately $255,000.
Additionally, five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns, and four high-capacity magazines were seized.
"Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger," AG James said. "Not only did these individuals sell deadly narcotics, they disguised fentanyl in fake prescription pills, putting the lives of their customers at even greater risk. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their collaboration in this effort to take a dangerous criminal organization off our streets as we continue to work to keep New Yorkers safe."