A year-long investigation led to the arrest of several drug dealers who were considered to be a serious threat.
The investigators in New York State Attorney General’s office have successfully dismantled a large-scale drug network that was operating in the Hudson Valley region.
Takedown of Cocaine and Fentanyl Trafficking Network Operating in the Hudson Valley
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Seven individuals have been apprehended by authorities after a thorough investigation spanning over a year.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has revealed that the group engaged in unlawful activities by selling cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl across Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and Westchester counties.
“Counterfeit opioids containing deadly amounts of fentanyl are a grave threat to New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James stated. “Our investigation dismantled a drug trafficking network that was responsible for moving massive quantities of dangerous narcotics throughout the Hudson Valley, where communities have been hit hard by the opioid crisis.
Drug Network Targeted Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, and Westchester Counties
The Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) of the Attorney General’s Office (OAG) reportedly confiscated a significant amount of illegal substances and weapons. The seizure included over 10,500 counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, estimated to be worth around $75,000. Additionally, the OCTF seized approximately eight kilograms of cocaine, valued at about $200,000. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of three firearms, including a ghost gun, and a total of $14,000 in cash.
The AG’s office states that:
The investigation focused on Nicole Kane’s purchase of cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl from Daquan Killian, Romell Hearn, and Jonte Hatcher for further distribution. Kane sold from her home in Highland, New York, and obtained counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from Killian at his house and a Price Chopper Supermarket in Poughkeepsie.
Furthermore, the investigation discovered that Hearn collaborated with Dwan Scafe from a stash home in Poughkeepsie to possess, store, supply, and distribute cocaine and counterfeit oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl in Dutchess County. Police recovered a kilogram of cocaine that Scafe sold to Damian Cunningham during a traffic stop in Westchester County in March 2024.
Hearn and Scafe seized a loaded weapon, a high-capacity magazine, and six kilograms of cocaine during search warrant executions in Poughkeepsie in May 2024. In August 2024, search warrant executions apprehended Hatcher and Shamique Delaine, seizing a loaded weapon and approximately 450 grams of cocaine. Furthermore, the investigation revealed a Polymer 80 ghost gun that Kane had sold.
155 Count Indictment Charges Poughkeepsie, Highland, Mount Vernon Residents
The indictment included a total of 155 charges.
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- Damian Cunningham, 40 years old, Mount Vernon, New York
- Shamique Delaine, 33 years old, Poughkeepsie, New York
- Jonte Hatcher a/k/a “Diggs”, 41 years old, Poughkeepsie, New York
- Romell Hearn a/k/a “Mel”, 45 years old, Poughkeepsie, New York
- Nicole Kane, 36 years old, Highland, New York
- Daquan Killian, 32 years old, Poughkeepsie, New York
- Dwan Scafe, 36 years old, Poughkeepsie, New York
Six individuals, namely Shamique Delaine, Jonte Hatcher, Romell Hearn, Nicole Kane, Daquan Killian, and Dwan Scafe, faced charges of conspiring and trafficking cocaine, as well as distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl.
Damian Cunningham faced charges of trafficking cocaine.