State Police Bust $10M Drug Ring from NYC to Upstate New York

Drug Ring Operated from NYC to Upstate

State Police in New York say a tip that started at the troopers' barracks in Latham 18 months ago, uncovered a massive drug ring that stretched across NYC to Upstate New York.

The charges against the defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

In all, the State Police say that 13 arrests were made in connection with a drug ring that was distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and other dangerous drugs, and nearly half of them are from the immediate Capital Region or parts of Upstate New York.

What Did Police Confiscate?

According to the New York State Police, the arrests were made on June 12th, and law enforcement seized more than 240 kilos of cocaine, 185 pounds of methamphetamine, 700 pounds of marijuana, a handgun, and one million dollars in cash.

While the street value of 250 kilograms of cocaine can vary depending on purity and market value, an estimate would be somewhere in the $7 million to $17.5 million range.
Read More: Hochul Outlines Plan for a Nuclear Power Plant in Upstate NY 

Sources say that the leading cause of death in Americans ages 18-45 is fentanyl overdose.

The highly addictive drug is responsible for nearly 70% of the United States' drug overdose deaths in the past year and is said to be 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

13 Arrested After Massive Drug Bust

The State Police arrested the following people:

• Samer Abdelhak, aka “Semi,” age 35, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
• Leon Chen, aka “Don Eladio,” 29, of Long Island City, New York;
• Michael Harper, aka “Miz,” 38, of Corning, New York;
• Anthony Medina, aka “Tank” and “Fatboy,” 28, of Painted Post, New York;
• Broslloyd Campbell, 42, of Hewlett, New York
• Anthony Dixon Jr., 41, of Jackson, New Jersey;
• Chaquill Foster, aka “Lo” and “Gucci,” 31, of Schenectady
• Christopher Smith, aka “Boot,” 39, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
• Jason Hogue, aka “Whispers,” 44, of Lake Placid
• Christopher Christman, aka “Free,” “Fremont,” and “Puffy,” 42, of Fresh Meadows, New York;
• Cesar Ariel Castro-Sanchez, aka “Dom R,” 31, of Palisades Park, New Jersey;
• Jocelyn Foster, aka “Jozzy,” 29, of Amsterdam
• Mikell Butler, 34, of Schenectady

The State Police say that most defendants have been charged with offenses with a minimum term of 10 years and up to life in prison.