A nine-month investigation into narcotics and gun trafficking in Orange County resulted in 17 arrests, officials revealed on May 1.
At a news conference in Goshen, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and other local, state, and federal law enforcement officials revealed the findings of the investigation.
“Today is a very good day for Orange County in terms of public safety and life saved,” Hoovler stated.
According to Hoovler, the investigation began in Middletown with a suspect who did not appear to be a normal street-level dealer. Hoovler stated that the situation was brought to their attention, which resulted in investigators working for hundreds of hours over the next nine months. “This is truly a remarkable accomplishment,” said Middletown Police Chief John Ewanciw. “The real heroes are the men and women who worked on the streets.”
Ewanciw estimated that his cops alone put in around 6,500 hours on the street.
Investigators seized around one kilogram of fentanyl, which Hoovler regarded as a significant threat to public safety. According to Hoovler, this might result in the deaths of 400,000 individuals, equivalent to the population of Orange County. “Fentanyl is the most serious threat to this country,” said Sean Aguilara, an associate special agent in charge with the US Drug Enforcement Agency.
The operation expanded beyond Orange County to New York City and Bergen County, New Jersey.
The most serious allegations are against Zachary Lewis, 52, of Central Valley; Nikye Bee, 31, of New York City; Pedro Pabon Jr., 51, of Brooklyn; Devin Paul, 52, of Leonia, New Jersey; and Robert Howard, 58, of Edgewater, New Jersey.
They were all charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy, which are both felonies.
Jonathan Tucciarone, 43, of Middletown, was charged with second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, which is a felony.
Wesley Carrington, 60, and Jessica Pollidore, 41, both from Middletown, were charged with third-degree illegal sale of a controlled substance and fourth-degree conspiracy, both felonies.
Branden Best, 20, Hector James, 55, John Muller, 49, Dominic Scaranao, 43, Richard Banks, 53, and Juwan Dolson, 29, all of Middletown, as well as Ollie Dolson, 48, of New Hampton, were charged with fourth-degree conspiracy, a felony.
The other two suspects, who have yet to be caught, are unnamed and face charges of first-degree criminal sale of a controlled narcotic and second-degree conspiracy.
Investigators recovered 16 firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, 15 kilograms of cocaine, 200 grams of liquid PCP, hundreds of ecstasy tablets, four automobiles, $250,000 in jewelry, and $258,600 in cash. “If you bring this poison into our communities, we’ll come after you,” Hoovler warned. “We’re taking everything away from you, and you will not get it back.”
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