LI Drug Trafficker Used Home As 24-Hour Takeout Window: DA

WEST BABYLON, NY — A West Babylon man was indicted Tuesday in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation, according to the Suffolk County district attorney.

Encarnacion Reyes, 57, faces a host of charges, including operating as a major drug trafficker.

"This is a major win for the Babylon community, who were vigilant in reporting this defendant’s alleged criminal activity to law enforcement and were an integral part of this investigation," said District Attorney Timothy Sini in a statement. "Thanks to this joint effort, his operation has been effectively shut down and we have eliminated a major cocaine supplier in Suffolk County."

Sini said after numerous complaints from neighbors, law enforcement started conducting surveillance of Reyes’ house on Westchester Avenue and found that people would drive or walk up to the house at all hours to approach a window adjacent to the garage, which Reyes used as a "takeout window" to buy cocaine.

The investigation revealed that Reyes would purchase large quantities of cocaine and would then use his West Babylon home to process the cocaine for resale by mixing it with a cutting agent to increase its volume then repackage it for distribution, according to the DA.

"[The Drug Enforcement Administration] is focused on working with our state and local counterparts to address drug trafficking and violence threatening our cities," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan in a statement. "Earlier this month, a search warrant was executed resulting in the arrest of a major cocaine trafficker who was using his house as an illegal 24-hour drug store."

During to the investigation, law enforcement agents from the District Attorney’s Office, the DEA and Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant at Reyes’ home on Aug. 13, which resulted in the recovery of 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, more than $16,000 cash, and various paraphernalia consistent with drug packaging and sales, including scales, cutting agent, packaging materials, a money counter and six cell phones, according to Sini.

Reyes was accused of selling the cocaine for $100 per gram, equating to a value of $130,000 for the cocaine seized during the search warrant, the DA said, adding the high price point at which Reyes sold cocaine was due in part to a shortage in supply caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Reyes also ran illegal dice and card games out of his West Babylon home, according to the DA. Surveillance revealed that these gatherings often included more than 20 individuals and occurred throughout the pandemic, resulting in further reports to law enforcement about suspected illegal activity at the house.

"Thanks to the outstanding work of law enforcement, and with support from the community, we have shut down a significant drug trafficking ring that was disrupting a Suffolk County neighborhood," said New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. "We are committed to working together with our partners to ensure that those who profit from the sale of dangerous, illegal drugs will be held fully accountable for their actions."

In addition to operating as a major drug trafficker, Reyes was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and three counts of second degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, the DA said.

Reyes was arraigned by Suffolk County Court Judge Timothy Mazzei, who set his bail at $150,000 cash, $300,000 bond or $300,000 partially-secured bond. He is due back in court Oct. 6. If convicted of the top count, Reyes faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

"This major cocaine dealer was taken off the streets thanks to the combined efforts of the community and law enforcement," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. "We want the public to know we are listening, take every complaint seriously and appreciate their partnership in helping the department keep communities safe."

All photos courtesy of the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office