United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. - Nearly four kilograms of heroin and fentanyl have been seized and 24 people arrested on drug possession and conspiracy charges as a result of an investigation into 10 fatal overdoses in Suffolk and Nassau Counties and nine drug overdoses in which individuals were revived with Narcan, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Division announced today.

DA Spota, joined by Kevin Larkin, Assistant Special Agent in Charge - Long Island District Office of the DEA, Suffolk County Police Chief of Detectives, Gerard Gigante, SCPD Inspector Armando Valencia, Detective Lieutenant Timothy Dillion, the Commanding Officer of the Suffolk County Police Narcotics Section, and Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Kate Wagner of the SCDA Narcotics Bureau, estimated the heroin/fentanyl distribution network brought more than 3,000 bags of heroin-fentanyl and pure fentanyl into Long Island communities from New York City drug mills every week. 

“They cut the heroin with fentanyl more than most drug dealers; sometimes up to 50 %, but they also sold pure fentanyl in individual glassine bags to drug users for whom heroin no longer provided the euphoric high they were looking for,” District Attorney Spota said, adding that law enforcement believes the fentanyl sold by members of the network is manufactured in illicit labs in Mexico and China.
 
“Because of the potency of the 50-50 heroin-fentanyl mixture, and the pure fentanyl doses, the distribution ring has been tied to 10 fatal overdoses - eight in Suffolk County and two in Nassau County.  There have been nine non-fatal overdoses; seven in Suffolk and two in Nassau in which the drug users were revived with NARCAN. The overdoses occurred between September of 2015 to May of this year.

DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt stated, "One overdose is one too many; and every day, more than 120 people die from an opiate related overdose in the U.S.  The heroin trafficking organizations, like the Headley drug crew, are reaping blood money off the sale of heroin and fentanyl.  DEA, along with our state and local law enforcement counterparts, are committed to working together to disrupt and dismantle heroin trafficking organizations in every community."

The District Attorney said that first responders cognizant of the increased presence of fentanyl at overdose scenes are now wearing masks and gloves to protect themselves from its effects and police officers executing search warrants related to heroin sales carry NARCAN in case of exposure to fentanyl.

Among those arrested is a 29 year old Mastic Beach man, Roxy A. Headley Jr., alleged to be to one of the major suppliers of fentanyl and heroin in the metropolitan area.  Headley is charged with operating as a major trafficker, conspiracy in the second degree, and weapons charges.  Headley is a prior felony offender and believed to be an active member of the Bloods street gang.

During the course of the investigation law enforcement learned Headley’s primary source of supply for heroin and fentanyl was Carlos Torres, 34, of Wyandanch.  Torres, arrested July 18, is incarcerated in the county jail and charged with operating as a major trafficker and conspiracy in the second degree.  A total of six defendants are charged with the A-1 felony operating as a major trafficker charge.   The maximum sentence for operating as a major trafficker is 25 years to life. (Names of the defendants and their criminal charges below).

The Commissioner of the Nassau Police Department, Thomas Krumpter, said “This recent arrest for heroin, fentanyl and illegal firearms possession is another example of how the Nassau/Suffolk Heroin Task Force has been working in conjunction with federal and local law enforcement agencies  to ensure that we are doing our very best to put a stop to this epidemic.  These arrests should also serve as a reminder and send a strong message to these drug dealers that this criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”   

Chief of Detectives Gerard Gigante of the Suffolk County Police Department said the Suffolk-Nassau Heroin Task Force is focusing on overdose incidents and targeting the dealers who cause them.  Chief Gigante said that to date, counting one fatal heroin overdose last night, there have been 188 fatal overdoses in Suffolk County this year, “about one every 30 hours”.  

“Our message is consistent and clear: if you peddle this poison in our communities, the Suffolk County Police Department is coming after you,” Chief Gigante said.  

Fentanyl/Heroin Investigation 7-27-2016
DEFENDANT LIST -

Roxy Headley Jr. (DOB: 9/6/86)
Mastic Rd, Mastic Beach, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Harry Tilis

Guillermo (DOB: 10/17/89)
Camp Rd, Massapequa, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Christopher Gioe

Edward (DOB: 1/9/89)
Monterrey Ave, Bronx, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: David Levine

Melquisedec (DOB: 12/5/85)
69th Ave, Middle Village, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: John Scarpa

Keidy Rodriguez Nunez aka Anthony (DOB: 10/8/81)
103rd St, Ozone Park, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Telesforo Del Valle Jr.

Carlos (DOB: 6/23/82)
S. 27th St, Wyandanch, NY -
Operating as a Major Trafficker
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Christopher Cassar

Paul (DOB: 2/1/65)
Mowhawk Ave, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Weapon 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: George Harmel

Wayne (DOB: 6/11/83)
Adam St, Brentwood, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Chauncey Henry

Berline (DOB: 12/10/91)
S. 27th St, Wyandanch, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Christopher Cassar

Bonita (DOB: 3/26/92)
69th Ave, Middle Village, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Warren Silverman

Roxy Headley Sr. (DOB: 9/21/60)
Mastic Rd, Mastic, NY -
Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th
Arrest Date: 7/16/16
Defense Attorney: Mary Beth Abbate

Ryan (DOB: 8/30/81)
Scott Ave, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/16/16
Defense Attorney: Paul Barahal

Thomas (DOB: 4/4/85)
Michigan Ave, Ronkonkoma, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Eric Besso

Monte (DOB: 10/7/82)
Old Country Rd, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/16/16
Defense Attorney: Channing Kury

Jacqueline (DOB: 3/4/92)
Broadway Ave, Brentwood, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/21/16
Defense Attorney: Robert Flink

Vincent (DOB: 2/26/88)
Irving Ave, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Legal Aid Society

Elizabeth (DOB: 12/31/89)
Camp Rd, Massapequa, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Steve Fondulis

Emmitt (DOB: 12/19/79)
Arthur Ave, West Babylon, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/16/16
Defense Attorney: Michael Jin

Jose (DOB: 10/24/80) Undomiciled -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/20/16
Defense Attorney: William Sammis

Tramont (DOB: 10/5/84)
Hemlock St, Wyandanch, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/21/16
Defense Attorney: Robert Macedonio

Yusuf (DOB: 4/26/83)
Wilson Ave, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Arrest Date: 7/21/16
Defense Attorney: Robert Curran

Justin (DOB: 8/31/63)
Carlls Path, Deer Park, NY -
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/18/16
Defense Attorney: Harry Tilis

Mark (DOB: 8/25/61)
Carlls Path, Deer Park, NY -
Conspiracy 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd
Arrest Date: 7/19/16
Defense Attorney: Ian Fitzgerald