Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with a New York City-based drug trafficking operation. Federal agents seized nearly 500 kilos of cocaine during the investigation, according to an announcement by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and other law enforcement officials.
The operation, which involved searches at 24 locations across New York and New Jersey on June 12, was aimed at dismantling a network that transported drugs from California to New York City and Upstate New York. The searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 250 kilos of cocaine, fentanyl pills, other drugs, paraphernalia, a firearm, and over $1 million in cash. Arrests were also made in Georgia and Pennsylvania.
The investigation spanned 18 months and led to the confiscation of more than 240 kilos of cocaine, 185 pounds of methamphetamine, and nearly 700 pounds of marijuana.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Using an all-hands-on-deck approach, we have smashed a sophisticated, New York City-based drug trafficking organization that was pumping poison into our Upstate New York communities.”
DEA Special Agent Frank A. Tarentino commented: “Over the past year and a half, our DEA team...have successfully targeted the Abdelhak drug trafficking organization which has plagued and poisoned our communities here in New York."
FBI Special Agent Craig A. Tremaroli remarked: “This network’s reach was expansive – moving drugs from California to sell in communities within the Capital Region...But the reach of our federal task forces is deeper.”
NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James noted: “This investigation and the arrests that followed reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from the violence and devastation drug trafficking brings to our communities.”
The individuals charged include Samer Abdelhak (aka "Semi"), Leon Chen (aka "Don Eladio"), Michael Harper (aka "Miz"), Anthony Medina (aka "Tank" or "Fatboy"), Broslloyd Campbell, Anthony Dixon Jr., Chaquill Foster (aka "Lo" or "Gucci"), Christopher Smith (aka "Boot"), Jason Hogue (aka "Whispers"), Christopher Christman (aka "Free," "Fremont," or "Puffy"), Cesar Ariel Castro-Sanchez (aka "Dom R"), Jocelyn Foster (aka "Jozzy"), and Mikell Butler.
Most defendants face charges carrying minimum sentences of ten years up to life imprisonment if convicted. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by multiple agencies including NYSP, DEA’s Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force among others. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck, Katherine Kopita, and Nicholas Walter are prosecuting.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation aimed at disrupting high-level criminal organizations threatening U.S. security.