New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the convictions of 25 people involved in a large-scale drug trade involving heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in several counties in the state’s capital region. The investigation, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and local law enforcement, led to the bust of a network operating in Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Saratoga and other cities, seizing more than $350,000 in drugs, firearms and ammunition. Schenectady Counties.
An extensive investigation that ended last year led to the indictment of these individuals in November. The operation also seized four handguns, high-capacity magazines and approximately $50,000 in cash. The first sentence was handed down yesterday, with co-defendant Elvis Colon sentenced to 12 1/2 to 15 years in prison for trafficking heroin and fentanyl.
“We are committed to ending the opioid crisis in our state, and that means tackling this problem from every angle,” said Attorney General James, noting the ring’s impact on communities and the need to prevent fentanyl from reaching the public. “This drug-trafficking group operated an extensive network that sold hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of drugs and now they are being prosecuted.”
The main persons of the regional human trafficking network will be punished
Among those convicted were Alexander Torres and Yamillet Galarza, who were identified as key players who coordinated the purchase and distribution of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in the capital region. Torres had several suppliers and branded his products with special drug packaging to distinguish them. Another director of the operation, Efrain Acevedo, allegedly used his Troy restaurant as a front to distribute cocaine and hide the proceeds.
As the investigation progressed, the OCTF conducted extensive surveillance and wiretapping of dozens of target phones to generate evidence with the assistance of the New York State Police, Troy Police Department and other agencies. The large-scale operation reflects a concerted effort to curb the spread of drugs in the region.
All 25 convicted defendants have been sentenced
Along with Colon, who was convicted by a jury earlier this month, several defendants now face state prison terms:
- Efrain Acevedo pleaded guilty to a second-degree charge of sale of a controlled substance, punishable by 14 years in prison, a Class A-II felony.
- Javier Colon Pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy and first-degree drug trafficking, carrying a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.
- Alexander Torres and Abner Velasquez both were sentenced to 10 years for second-degree possession and sale, respectively.
- Additional sentences range from two to 15 years, with defendants facing varying degrees of drug-related charges, including sales and possession charges, depending on their involvement in the operation.
Other defendants include Eric and Raul Baez, Jose Cintron, Mercedes Danahy and Jack Frazier, all of whom have been convicted of various charges, primarily possession and distribution of controlled substances. The sentences represent an important development in the state’s efforts to reduce drug trafficking, which will prevent similar operations in the future.
Investigations and prosecutions led by the OCTF
The case investigation was led by the OCTF with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police and local sheriff’s offices, as well as the US Army National Guard’s Narcotics Task Force. The OCTF legal team, led by Deputy Attorney General Nicole Keary and Chief Deputy Jose Maldonado, worked with legal support experts and investigators to take the case through an extensive trial.
Attorney General James thanked the law enforcement partners who contributed to the operation, crediting their efforts with the successful completion of a complex, months-long investigation.
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