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Massive law enforcement effort:

Police take down drug dealers

More than three dozen arrested locally

Dan Hust - Staff Writer
Posted 7/31/15

MONTICELLO — A yearlong investigation led to a major drug bust in Monticello this week.

Early Tuesday morning, local police and the FBI descended on High Street, knocking on doors with search …

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Massive law enforcement effort:

Police take down drug dealers

More than three dozen arrested locally

Posted

MONTICELLO — A yearlong investigation led to a major drug bust in Monticello this week.

Early Tuesday morning, local police and the FBI descended on High Street, knocking on doors with search warrants in hand and arresting 39 people accused of facilitating the heroin/cocaine trade in Sullivan County.

Dubbed “Operation M-Cello” by the Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the coordinated effort is hoped to have dealt a significant blow to the region's illegal drug business.

Arraigned both locally and in White Plains federal court were the following:

• Errol Davis, 34

• Jahmal McIntosh, 30

• Darnell Saunders, 36

• Candice Brooks, 30

• Alfred Franklin, 30

• Derek Moorer, 34

• Scott Musgrave, 31

• Sam Reed, 25

• Julio Renta, 26

• James Wilkes, 38

• Sean York, 41

• Damon Mitchell Sr., 40

• Luis Gonzalez, 31

• Julio Martinez, 36

• Kyra Matan, 33

• Pernell Moore, 48

• Harmeen Nix, 34

• Ramon Nunez, 35

• Ronald Rivera, 26

• Tyrell Simon, 26

• George Vega Jr., 29

• Darcy Copeland, 33

• Jenilyn Boyce, 31

• Priscilla Franklin, 33

• Jerrell Clark, 30

• Frederick Gang, 55

• April Watson, 30

• Tyrone Hagans, 38

• Raheim Bolden, 32

• Michael Hughes Jr., 20

• Charles Gonzalez, 39

• Lamont McNeal, 42

• Gualberto Roman Jr., 31

• Deon Morgan, 29

• Miguel Uhl, 27

• Paul Dilorenzo, 31

• Brian Olmstead, 36

• Lorenzo Wilson, 27

• James Carr, 37

They face various drugs, conspiracy and firearms charges and are all suspected of being part of four drug distribution networks.

More than half a kilogram of cocaine, 100 grams of heroin and 21 handguns were seized, as well.

“With the coordinated narcotics and firearms charges brought today,” U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said Tuesday, “we seek to neutralize at least four different drug rings that allegedly have been selling massive amounts of heroin and crack cocaine for years. The devastating impact that this type of drug dealing can have on the small, rural communities like those in Sullivan County cannot be overstated. Heroin is back, with a vengeance, but so are we.”

“Today, in close collaboration and partnership with our federal law enforcement counterparts, we have disrupted, dismantled, and put out of business significant heroin and crack cocaine trafficking operations in Sullivan County,” remarked District Attorney Jim Farrell. “Over the last year, this joint investigation, involving local, state, county and federal assets, has concentrated on local dealers and local suppliers of heroin and crack cocaine.”

“Today's arrests are a clear indication of our resolve to address the drug epidemic that has besieged our community,” affirmed Sheriff Michael Schiff. “... We will continue to partner with federal, state and local agencies and use every tool at our disposal. All of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case should be commended for the outstanding job they have done.”

Local agencies included the Sheriff's Office, DA's Office, Monticello PD, Liberty PD and Fallsburg PD, along with regional resources from the NY State Police and FBI.

The task force will be paying attention to the local drug scene for a “sustained” time.

“The successful partnership that has been forged will continue moving forward, unabated,” promised Farrell. “Individuals who engage in these dangerous criminal activities, and import and distribute dangerous narcotics like crack cocaine and heroin, should take notice: all of our law enforcement resources are committed to protecting our community, targeting those who put our safety in danger and holding those people accountable and responsible for their criminal acts.”

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