New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed the successful operation that led to the dismantling of a drug trafficking ring in the Hudson Valley. This criminal organization was illicitly distributing cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl throughout Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) spearheaded an investigation that led to the confiscation of around $45,000 worth of cocaine, weighing two and a half kilograms. Additionally, they seized over $500,000 worth of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, along with three and a half kilograms of powder fentanyl valued at over $200,000.
The authorities seized a total of five illegal handguns, which included two ghost guns, along with four high-capacity magazines.
Four individuals, namely Xavier Grant, Antawone West, Michael Jones, and Kenyi Torres, are facing a 122-count indictment in Dutchess County Court. The charges levied against them include a range of felonies related to narcotics and firearms offenses.
Dear Attorney General James,
Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger. 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.
The takedown occurred after the OCTF and the New York State Police’s Special Investigations Unit – Hudson Valley and Troop K – Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team collaborated on an extensive eleven-month joint investigation.
Extensive physical and covert surveillance, analysis of electronic evidence, and covert video and audio recordings played a crucial role in the investigation.
The defendants reportedly employed coded language to conceal their actions, using terms like “blues,” “blueberries,” or “perks” to refer to fake oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl.
Grant, West, Jones, and Torres worked together to store, supply, and distribute the narcotics in the region. The drugs were typically kept in Poughkeepsie and sold in parking lots.
Jones and West are facing charges in the indictment for a range of felony narcotics offenses. They are specifically charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, both of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
In addition to that, there are also charges related to firearms offenses and conspiracy to commit these crimes.
According to New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James,
I want to thank the Attorney General’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their vigilant hard work that has resulted in the arrests of these dangerous individuals. The sale of these highly addictive drugs perpetuates a cycle of substance abuse which poses a significant threat to safety and quality of life within our neighborhoods.
The OAG’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative is actively targeting networks involved in the trafficking of heroin, opioids, and narcotics.
Since 2017, SURGE has taken 984 suspected traffickers off the streets.
The OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Joseph Barca, is leading the prosecution of the case. He is being supported by OCTF Legal Support Analysts, who are working under the supervision of OCTF leadership.
