Five Long Island residents and a Bronx man who were allegedly behind a large-scale narcotics operation that stretched from the East End to the Bronx were arrested last week following a seven-month investigation, Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney and other law-enforcement officials said Friday.
Authorities who executed search warrants at homes in West Islip, Bay Shore, Wyandanch, Lindenhurst and the Bronx seized four kilograms of fentanyl during the investigation, enough to kill every one of Suffolk’s 1.5 million residents, Tierney said during a news conference in Brentwood. Investigators also found five kilograms of heroin, 1.8 kilograms of cocaine and 2,000 fentanyl-based pills.
Law-enforcement officials also seized three handguns, a rifle and a shotgun while executing search warrants at various locations on Oct. 30, as well as seven high-capacity magazines and a military-style can filled with ammunition. Investigators also found more than $10,000 in cash at the home of one defendant, along with money counters. The defendants face up to 25 years in prison if convicted on their top counts.
“The message here is simple, that if you deal in these deadly poisons and operate in Suffolk County, we, along with our partners, will come for you, we will investigate you, we will charge you and we will hold you responsible,” Tierney said.
In addition to the district attorney’s office, the investigation also included the Suffolk County Police Department, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, Southold police, Town of Southampton police, Town of East Hampton police, Riverhead police, New York State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals, and the New York City’s Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the NYPD.
Michael O’Keeffe covers Suffolk County police and other Long Island law enforcement agencies. He is an award-winning journalist and the co-author of two books,”The Card” and “American Icon.”