Drug Crackdown: 20 Arrested Wednesday in Heroin Probe

Investigation came in response to increase in heroin overdose deaths

VALHALLA – Twenty people were arrested across the river on Wednesday on charges of selling heroin in northern Westchester as part of a year-long initiative to combat the distribution and sale of heroin in the north county area, according to Westchester County Police.

Responding to a surge in heroin use and related overdose deaths in 2013, a multi-agency task force of officers was formed in early 2014 by the Department of Public Safety, seven northern Westchester police departments and the FBI. The goal of the Westchester County Northern Narcotics Initiative was to target street-level dealers and well as their suppliers.

Since its formation a year ago, the task force has made more than 125 arrests across northern Westchester of persons who were selling heroin, including in large quantities.

Wednesday afternoon, Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, Public Safety Commissioner George N. Longworth and representatives of the FBI and seven local police departments are scheduled to reveal details on the ongoing investigation.

Republished: Nyack Free Press