Cocaine Drug Ring Dismantled In Albany
ALBANY, NY. - Wilbert L. Plummer, the Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA) announced the arrest of twelve arrests for alleged cocaine drug trafficking organization.
Saratoga Springs Police and the Drug Enforcement (DEA) have arrested twelve people on drug and conspiracy charges stemming from a five month investigation into illegal drug activity in and around the City of Saratoga Springs.
The investigation began during August 2011 during street level drug enforcement activities conducted by the Saratoga Springs Police Special Investigations Unit operating under an Operation IMPACT-Tools grant sponsored by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. Operation IMPACT-Tools provides support to local police agencies to combat drug and associated crime in targeted areas of eligible localities.
Based upon information learned during the initial street level investigations, Saratoga Springs Police requested assistance from the DEA Task Force in Albany. Task Force Agents and City Investigators in cooperation with the office of Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy, conducted the investigation through the fall and began making arrests related to the case in November.
Over two ounces of powder cocaine, five pounds of marijuana and one vehicle were seized as a result of the investigation. All of those arrested have been charged with felony counts of Conspiracy in the 4 th degree for their involvement with drug trafficking activity. As the investigation focused mainly on street level drug activity in the downtown area of Saratoga Springs, most of the charged offenses involve relatively small amounts of powder cocaine.
The following individuals have been arrested by City Police and have been arraigned in City Court on Thursday December 22, 2011:
Robert K. (43) County Route 75, Mechanicville, NY. Three counts each of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, all class B Felonies.
Thomas R. (52) Kayderossas Dr. Ballston Spa, NY. Two counts each of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.
Jose A. (39) Lincoln Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY. Two Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.
In addition to the above charges Robert Allen, Thomas Kopach and the remaining defendants listed below have been charged with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony:
Edward (59) Union Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY.
Heather (38) Cook Circle, Gansevoort, NY
Thomas W. (40) Madison Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY.
April L. (34) County Route 75, Mechanicville
Susan M. (41) Casino Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY.
Deborah M. (50) Northern Pines Rd. Gansevoort, NY.
Paul M. (68) Sunrise Dr. Saratoga Springs, N Y.
Thomas J. (44) Russell Rd. Schuylerville, NY.
David C. (43) Lee St. Ballston Spa, NY.
Saratoga Springs Police believe that the arrests made thus far in the investigation will have a significant impact in drug trafficking activity in the downtown area in the short term. Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Richard Wirth stated, “Investigations like this are very man-power intensive. Cooperation between agencies is essential to send a strong message to people who would deal drugs in this city. By working with the DEA and District Attorney Murphy, our Police Department will continue to address drug dealing in all areas of the City.”
