New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the dismantling of a drug trafficking operation in the Hudson Valley. The ring was involved in selling cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties. The investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) resulted in the seizure of two and a half kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $45,000, thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills with fentanyl worth over $500,000, and three and a half kilograms of powder fentanyl valued at over $200,000. Authorities also confiscated five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns.
A 122-count indictment was unsealed in Dutchess County Court against four individuals: Xavier Grant, Antawone West, Michael Jones, and Kenyi Torres. They face multiple felony charges related to narcotics and firearms offenses.
“Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger,” stated Attorney General James. She emphasized that these individuals not only sold dangerous narcotics but also disguised fentanyl as fake prescription pills. She thanked law enforcement partners for their role in dismantling this criminal organization.
The takedown followed an eleven-month joint investigation by OCTF along with New York State Police’s Special Investigations Unit – Hudson Valley (SIU-HV) and Troop K – Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (K-VGNET). The investigation employed various techniques such as physical surveillance and analysis of electronic evidence.
The defendants used coded language to conceal their activities during communications. Terms like “blues,” “blueberries,” or “perks” were used to refer to orders of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.
The seized items included:
- Two and a half kilograms of cocaine
- Thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl
- Three and a half kilograms of powder fentanyl
- Five illegal handguns
- Four high-capacity magazines
- Drug paraphernalia
The indictment charges include Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree against Jones and West with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison. Additional charges involve various counts related to controlled substances and conspiracy crimes.
Steven G. James from New York State Police commended the collaborative effort that led to these arrests. He noted that such operations send a strong message against illegal drugs and weapons entering communities.
Those indicted are:
- Xavier Grant (“X”), 22
- Antawone West, 25
- Michael Jones (“Slime”), 33
- Kenyi Torres, 45
This operation is part of OAG’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative aimed at combating heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks since its inception in 2017.
The investigation was conducted by OCTF Detectives David Walsh and Steven Cohan under supervision from several officials within OCTF's hierarchy. The case prosecution is handled by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Joseph Barca with support from legal analysts within OCTF's framework.
Attorney General James acknowledged contributions from local law enforcement agencies including Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi's office among others involved throughout this process.