Long Island Man Admits Selling Fentanyl To Undercover Cop: Prosecutor

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Patchogue man admitted to selling fentanyl to an undercover officer, and having a gun, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Friday.

Randheer Shewprashad, 25, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a weapon on Thursday.

Undercover officers purchased cocaine and fentanyl from Shewprashad on two separate dates between March and April 2023, and on May 4, 2023, he was arrested after Suffolk police executed a search warrant at his Patchogue home, prosecutors said.

During the search of his home, police found cocaine and fentanyl and two semi-automatic handguns, according to prosecutors.

In that case, Shewprashad pleaded guilty in June 2023, to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a weapon in exchange for a determinate sentence of five years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, prosecutors said.

While out awaiting sentence on those charges, the police and the Drug Enforcement Administration bought cocaine and fentanyl from Shewprashad three tines between October and November 2023, prosecutors said.

He was arrested on Nov. 21, 2023, after which police executed a search warrant at his Mastic home where another semi-automatic firearm was found, according to prosecutors.

Police later executed another search warrant at his Patchogue home, during which they recovered a quantity of cocaine, as well as fentanyl mixed with xylazine, prosecutors said. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human
use and has been increasingly been found in the illegal drug supply, particulary mixed with fentanyl, and is linked to overdose deaths, accorrding to prosecutors.

Currently in New York, xylazine is neither restricted nor illegal, but Tierney is advocating for lawmakers to pass legislation that will make it, prosecutors said.

Shewprashad's plea is in exchange for a determinate sentence of five years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision and his previous sentences will run consecutively, for a total of 10 years in prison followed by eight years of post- release supervison, according to prosecutors.

“This case again highlights the inherently dangerous nature of the illicit drug world, where dealers brazenly carry weapons to ensure protection of themselves, their proceeds, and their product,” Tierney said. “In this case, not even a pending upstate sentence deterred this defendant from continuing with business as usual.”

DEA Special Agent-In-Charge Frank Tarentino said, "To state it simply, fentanyl and guns are two of the most deadly weapons used by drug raffickers. Today’s plea underscores the consequences of drug trafficking on our streets to include
unprecedented levels of drug poisonings and drug-related violence."

“I applaud the diligent work by the undercover officers, DEA’s Long Island District Office, Suffolk County Police Department, and Suffolk County District Attorney’s office throughout this investigation," he added.

Shewprashad's attorney, Matthew Rosenblum of Commack, described him as someone who made "some big mistakes," calling his case "heart-wrenching" but declined to go into details.

"I have no doubt that he will become a contributing member of society when he finishes his sentence," he said.

Shewprashad is due back in court for sentencing on March 13.