D.A. ZUGIBE: PEARL RIVER GRANDPARENTS CHARGED WITH PRESCRIPTION DRUG TRAFFICKING

FROM THE DA’S OFFICE

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe Tuesday announced the filing of criminal charges against a Pearl River couple for illegally obtaining and selling thousands of pills of prescription narcotics, including OxyContin and Xanax.

District Attorney Zugibe said, “The drugs which the defendants are alleged to have trafficked in each have a street value of $25 to $30 a pill and are popular among addicts, despite posing serious health risks. We have seen a huge rise in the use and abuse of prescription painkillers in our region. Drugs such as oxycodone are extremely potent and have a high potential for abuse and death. Shutting down sources such as alleged in this case will save lives.”

District Attorney Zugibe identified the defendants as Aniello Famelico, 60, and Linda Rose Famelico, 60, of 52 East Crooked Hill Road, Apartment D, Pearl River, New York. Both defendants were arraigned on May 5 in the Town of Orangetown Justice Court by the Honorable Judge Richard C. Finning on a variety of felony charges, including fourth- and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

Aniello Famelico was being held at the Rockland County Jail on $7500 bail. Linda Famelico was remanded to the Rockland County Jail based on two prior felony charges. If convicted, both defendants face up to 20 years state prison. During the past month, the Rockland County Drug Task Force, along with the Town of Orangetown Police Department, focused on complaints received by the community of possible drug dealing near the Famelico residence. An undercover operation conducted at the Courtland Gardens apartment complex on East Crooked Hill Road in Pearl River led to a vehicle traffic stop and the recovery of several prescription pills.

A court-authorized search warrant executed at the Famelico’s residence led to the seizure of 1,900 prescription pills consisting of Xanax, OxyContin, Clonazepam, Diazepam and Suboxone. Additionally, over five pounds of marijuana, three ounces of marijuana wax, THC Gummy Candy and more than $18,000 in cash was seized. Drug paraphernalia, including THC inhalers, marijuana wax containers, scales and packaging materials, was also confiscated by Drug Task Force detectives.

Said District Attorney Zugibe, “These arrests underscore our commitment to improve the quality of life for the residents of Rockland County. They should serve as a warning to other drug dealers that our law enforcement community will continue to aggressively track down those who traffic in prescription drugs and seek to put them in prison.”

The investigation was conducted by the Rockland County Drug Task Force, the Town of Orangetown Police Department Uniform Patrol and Detective Bureau. District Attorney Zugibe said the married defendants are no strangers to the criminal justice system. In September 2012, the Rockland County Drug Task Force, along with the Town of Ramapo Police, executed a search warrant at the Famelico’s previous residence at 15 Grotke Road in Chestnut Ridge.

Linda Famelico was indicted in January 2013 on felony drug charges, including criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance, based on evidence seized during the search.