SIX-MONTH UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN DRUG CHARGES AGAINST FOURTEEN ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS, USERS

“Operation Higher Ground” Targeted Local Barber Shop, Which Served As Front For Family-Run Cocaine Distribution Ring With Ties To Puerto Rico

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that fourteen individuals have been arrested on drug charges following a six-month probe into a family-organized cocaine distribution ring based in the Town of Haverstraw.

The defendants – who range in age from 24 to 44 and include cousins and a brother-in-law – are charged with selling crack and powdered cocaine to undercover police officers on separate occasions over a six-month period on Church Street in Garnerville.

The open-air drug transactions have led to more than two-dozen counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of controlled substances.

District Attorney Zugibe said, “The main defendants are accused of operating as a tightly-knit family business that catered to drug buyers from across Rockland County. These arrests underscore our commitment to continue to work to improve the quality of life for the residents of our community, some of whom have been plagued by illegal drug trafficking near their homes.”

Among those arrested are cousins Juan Medina (DOB 09/13/87) of 67 Church Street, Garnerville, New York and Delvin Fernandez (DOB 01/14/79) of 58 Church Street, Garnerville, New York, who are alleged to have run the drug organization from Fernandez’s business, “Fine Line Barbershop and Salon,” located at 7 South Route 9W, West Haverstraw, New York, as well as several Church Street locations.

During the past several months, the Rockland County Drug Task Force received intelligence from the Town of Haverstraw Police Department Street Crime Unit regarding local resident complaints about illegal drug activity in Garnerville.

Following an analysis of the information, members of the Drug Task Force and Haverstraw Police Department began conducting undercover buys and “buyer beware” operations, including eavesdropping methods to dismantle the illicit cocaine business.

Conversations were intercepted discussing street locations for the deliveries of cocaine packages sent through the United States Postal Service. The currency generated through the alleged cocaine sales were forwarded to family members of Medina and Fernandez in Puerto Rico. Money orders through Western Union were distributed back to family members in the amounts of $3,000 to $4,800.

On at least one occasion, Fernandez was directed by family members in Puerto Rico to conceal $35,000 in his luggage in order to by-bass TSA agents at John F. Kennedy International Airport. While working with members of the Department of Homeland Security, members of the Drug Task Force seized this cash.

The defendants are variously charged with numerous counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class “B” Felony and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class “B” Felony, each punishable by up to nine years in prison.

Rockland County Drug Task Force Director Christopher Goldrick said, “This latest sweep of dangerous drug dealers is the result of our partnership with a variety of state and federal agencies. These relationships provide tremendous resources to Rockland’s law enforcement organizations, including intelligence and analytical mapping. We will continue to attack drug trafficking and the violence it generates whenever and wherever it surfaces.”

Included in “Operation Higher Ground” were the Town of Haverstraw Police Department Street Crime Unit, ICE – Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Police – Haverstraw – Troop F K-9 Unit, the NY/NJ HIDTA, United States Postal Inspectors, Town of Clarkstown Police Department Street Crime Unit and the Schenectady Police Department.

Several of the individuals have extensive prior criminal histories for drug selling, robbery, assault, burglary, parole violation, weapons possession and resisting arrest.

The investigation continues into the reach and scope of illicit drug trafficking in Rockland County and further arrests will be made.

Delvin Fernandez, DOB: 01/14/1979
12 Farley Drive, West Haverstraw, New York 10993
Charged With: PL 220.43(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 1st degree, A-II Felony, 1 count
PL 220.16(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts
PL 220.16(12) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts
PL 220.41(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A Felony, 1 count

Juan Medina, DOB: 09/13/1987
67 Church Street, Garnerville, New York 10923
Charged With: PL 220.18(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A-II Felony, 1 count

Tyler Boscaino, DOB: 10/10/1989
67 East Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey, New York 10952
Charged With: PL 220.18(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A-II Felony, 1 count

Xavier Urena, DOB: 04/01/1983
18 Hudson Avenue, Haverstraw, New York 10927
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 1 count

Ahmad Jeffrey, DOB: 12/04/1987
5 Santiago Avenue, Haverstraw, New York 10927
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 1 count

Herber Barrientos, DOB: 11/18/1981
68 Church Street, Garnerville, New York 10923
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 3 counts

Robin Germosen, DOB: 11/14/1988
24 Overlook Drive, West Haverstraw, New York 10993
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 1 count

Elias DeLeon, DOB: 08/23/1974
13 Coyne Drive, Haverstraw, New York 10927
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts

Michelle Rodriguez, DOB: 09/26/1970
37 New Main Street, Apartment 6, Haverstraw, New York 10927
Charged With: PL 220.39(1) Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts
PL 220.16(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts

Eugene Bronico, DOB: 12/06/1969
20 Main Street, Garnerville, New York 10923
Charged With: PL 220.16(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts
PL 220.39(1) Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony, 2 counts

Richard Luongo, DOB: 05/04/1981
24 Tanneyanns Lane, West Haverstraw, New York 10993
Charged With: PL 220.03 Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, A Misdemeanor, 5 counts

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Alberto Rivera, DOB: 12/09/1971
3 Rockridge Drive, Thiells, New York 10984
Charged With: PL 220.03 Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, A Misdemeanor, 1 count
PL 221.05 Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Violation, 1 count

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Sara Pape Cantor, DOB: 09/16/1978
16 Harrison Street, New Milford, New Jersey 07646
Charged With: PL 220.03 Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, A Misdemeanor, 1 count
PL 221.05 Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Violation, 1 count

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Jose Lopez, DOB: 12/23/1977
32 Central Drive, Nanuet, New York 10954
Charged With: PL 220.03 Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, A Misdemeanor, 1 count