LI Dealers Sold Drug 100X Stronger Than Fentanyl: DA

BAY SHORE, NY — Four Long Island residents have been indicted after selling carfentanil—a drug 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl—Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Thursday.

John Sims, Tyeisha Kisswani, Robert Day and Adrian Spooner were indicted for criminal sale of a controlled substance and other related charges for selling the drug after an investigation was conducted by the DA's Gang Task Force, Tierney said.

According to the DA, carfentanil is a synthetic opioid used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals. It is 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl, where fentanyl—a synthetic opioid drug that is 50 to 100 times stronger than heroin—can be lethal in the 2-milligram range.

According to the investigation, from January to July 2024, the DA’s Gang Task Force uncovered a narcotics distribution network that allegedly sold carfentanil, fentanyl and cocaine in Suffolk County, the DA said. The investigation included the use of undercover law enforcement, audio and video recordings, and stationary and physical surveillance that led to the execution of numerous search warrants, the DA said.

During the investigation, it revealed that Sims, Kisswani and Day were members of a conspiracy that allegedly possessed and repeatedly sold copious quantities of carfentanil, fentanyl and cocaine, the DA said.

On July 1, Sims allegedly sold over half of an ounce of fentanyl and on July 11, Sims and Day sold over half of an ounce of fentanyl, the DA said.

Several times between January and June 2024, Sims and Kisswani also sold cocaine and on July 23, Sims sold over half of an ounce of carfentanil to an undercover officer, the DA said.

In addition, on 12 different dates between January and July 2024, Spooner sold cocaine, including more than half an ounce of cocaine on July 17, the DA said.

On August 28, law enforcement executed multiple search warrants in various locations including Sims and Kisswani’s house, the DA said.

Detectives found a loaded .357 revolver, a high-capacity ammunition feeding device, cocaine, U.S. currency, digital scales and packaging materials used for the weighing and packaging of narcotics for sale inside of their bedroom, the DA said. Kisswani was taken into custody at the scene while police arrested Sims at another location, the DA said.

“As hard as it is to believe – Carfentanil is even more potent and more lethal than fentanyl. The influx of this drug in Suffolk County is alarming and poses a clear and present danger to the public,” said Tierney. “We will prosecute traffickers responsible for bringing such poisons into Suffolk County to the fullest extent of the law.”

Sims, 40, of Freeport, was charged with one count of second-degree conspiracy, a Class B felony; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony; three counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, Class A-II felonies; six counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; 10 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, Class C violent felonies; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D violent felony; one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony; and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanors, the DA said.

He was arraigned on September 30 before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins who ordered him remanded during the pendency of the case, the DA said. Sims is due back in court on November 14, and faces 12 1⁄2 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count, the DA said. He is being represented by Jason Russo, Esq.

Spooner, 36, of Bay Shore, is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class A-II felony; 11 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony; and 12 counts of a third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies, the DA said.

On September 25, he was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis who ordered Spooner held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. Spooner was released on $200,000 bail and is due back in court on November 6, the DA said. He faces a maximum of 14 years in prison if convicted on the top count and is being represented by Robert Macedonio, The DA said.

Kisswani, 39, of Freeport, is charged with one count of second-degree conspiracy, a Class B felony; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony; two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies; one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class D felony; and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanors, the DA said.

Kisswani was arraigned on October 3 before Justice Collins who ordered her released from jail without bail because her charges are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail, the DA said.

Kisswani is due back in court on November 13 and faces 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count, the DA said. She is being represented by Oscar Crisafio.

Day, 65, of Hempstead, is charged with one count of second-degree conspiracy, a Class B felony; one count of fourth-degree conspiracy, a Class E felony; one count of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class A-II felony; one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony; and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony, the DA said.

As of October 3, Day remains at large, the DA said.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Suffolk County Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.