Massive Hudson Valley Fentanyl, Cocaine Trafficking Ring Takedown: AG

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A massive fentanyl and cocaine trafficking ring takedown in the Hudson Valley was announced Wednesday.

According to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, those participating in the deadly ring illegally sold cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties.

An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General’s organized crime task force led to the recovery of two-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine worth about $45,000, thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl worth over $500,000, and three-and-a-half kilograms of powder fentanyl worth more than $200,000, James said.

Five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns, and four high-capacity magazines were also seized during the operation. A 122-count indictment charging four individuals for their roles in the drug trafficking network was unsealed in Dutchess County Court, the AG said.

The indictment charged Xavier Grant, aka "X", 22, of Poughkeepsie; Antawone West, 25, of Poughkeepsie; Michael Jones, aka "Slime," 33, of Poughkeepsie; and Kenyi Torres, 45, of Middletown, with multiple felonies for narcotics and firearms offenses, James said.

"Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger," James said. "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 was the result of an eleven-month joint investigation led by OCTF and the New York State Police’s special investigations unit — Hudson Valley (SIU-HV) and the Troop K — Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team.

The investigation included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, analysis of voluminous electronic evidence, including cellphone communications, covert video and audio recordings, and other traditional investigative techniques, the AG said.

During their communications, the defendants frequently utilized coded and cryptic terminology in an attempt to disguise their illicit activities, such as referring to orders of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl as "blues," "blueberries," or "perks," a nod to their legitimate, prescription medication counterparts, James said.

The investigation revealed that Grant, West, Jones, and Torres obtained cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl for further distribution, the AG said

Additionally, the investigation revealed that the four defendants worked together to store, supply, and distribute the narcotics in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties, the AG added.

The narcotics were stored in various stash locations in the residential areas of Poughkeepsie and often sold in parking lots, James said.

Also seized were five illegal handguns, four of which were loaded, and two of which were ghost guns, in addition to four illegal high-capacity magazines, the AG said.

The investigation led to the recovery of two-and-a-half kilograms of cocaine; thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl weighing over two and a half kilograms; three-and-a-half kilograms of powder fentanyl; five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns and four high-capacity magazines; drug paraphernalia, including scales, ziplock bags, glassine envelopes, and other packaging materials used to package and measure narcotics; two "kilo" presses; and about $255,000 in cash., James said.

The 122-count indictment includes counts for various felony narcotics offenses; Jones and West were arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, respectively, James said. Each carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, she said.

Additional charges include various counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, class B felonies, and criminal possession of a controlled substance, class A-II and B felonies, as well as conspiracy to commit those crimes, James said.

Jones and West were also charged with firearms offenses including second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C violent felony; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony; and criminal possession of a firearm, a class E felony, James said.

Grant and Torres were each charged with, among other things, multiple counts of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance a class A-II felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, James said.

They were also charged with conspiracy to commit those crimes, the AG said.

"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," said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. "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. This sends a strong message to dealers that we will not tolerate illegal drugs and weapons being brought into or sold in our communities."

The takedown marked the latest major drug bust in OAG’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic, or SURGE, initiative, a law enforcement effort that brings together state and local law enforcement to target New York’s heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. Since launching in 2017, SURGE has taken 984 alleged traffickers off the streets, the AG said.