Attorney General Letitia James made an announcement on Wednesday revealing the dismantling of a drug trafficking ring in the Hudson Valley. This criminal organization was involved in the illegal sale of cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties.
According to a 122-count indictment unsealed in Dutchess County Court, four individuals were operating the network from Dec. 5, 2023, until Nov. 27, 2024. Xavier Grant, Antawone West, Michael Jones, and Kenyi Torres face multiple felony charges for narcotics and firearms offenses.
The attorney general’s Organized Crime Task Force successfully uncovered a significant amount of illicit substances and weapons during their investigation. In total, they seized 2 ½ kilograms of cocaine valued at approximately $45,000, along with thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl worth over $500,000. Additionally, they recovered 3 ½ kilograms of powder fentanyl worth over $200,000. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns, as well as four high-capacity magazines. In addition to the drugs and weapons, drug paraphernalia and a substantial sum of $255,000 in cash were also seized.
“Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger,” James said in a statement. “Not only did these individuals sell deadly narcotics, they disguised fentanyl in fake prescription pills, putting the lives of their customers at even greater risk. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their collaboration in this effort to take a dangerous criminal organization off our streets as we continue to work to keep New Yorkers safe.”
An 11-month joint investigation, spearheaded by the Organized Crime Task Force and State Police’s Special Investigations Unit in the Hudson Valley, alongside Troop K’s Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, culminated in the successful takedown.
The investigation involved conducting extensive physical and covert surveillance, analyzing a vast amount of electronic evidence, such as cellphone communications, covert video and audio recordings, and employing various traditional investigative methods. Throughout their interactions, the defendants frequently used coded and cryptic language in an effort to conceal their illegal activities. For instance, the indictment reveals that they referred to counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl as “blues,” “blueberries,” or “perks,” which alluded to their legitimate prescription medication counterparts.
The investigation uncovered that the defendants acquired the drugs and collaborated to store, supply, and distribute them across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties. The narcotics were stored in different concealed spots within residential areas of Poughkeepsie, and frequently sold in parking lots. Furthermore, the investigation resulted in the confiscation of five illegal handguns, with four of them being loaded, and two of them being ghost guns. Additionally, four illegal high-capacity magazines were also seized.
The investigation received assistance from various agencies, including the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and the Dutchess County Drug Task Force.
“I want to thank the attorney general’s office and our law enforcement partners for their vigilant hard work that has resulted in the arrests of these dangerous individuals,” State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said in a statement. “The sale of these highly addictive drugs perpetuates a cycle of substance abuse which poses a significant threat to safety and quality of life within our neighborhoods. This sends a strong message to dealers that we will not tolerate illegal drugs and weapons being brought into or sold in our communities.”
The attorney general’s office’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (SURGE) Initiative continues to make significant progress in combating drug trafficking in New York. The recent takedown marks another major drug bust under this initiative, which brings together state and local law enforcement to target heroin, opioid, and narcotics trafficking networks. According to the attorney general’s office, SURGE has successfully apprehended 984 alleged traffickers since its launch in 2017. Notably, several of these busts have effectively dismantled trafficking networks operating in the Hudson Valley region.