15 Arrested In Suffolk Drug Trafficking Ring: PD

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Fifteen people were arrested in connection to a multi-million drug ring that spanned across Suffolk County on Thursday, said District Attorney Timothy D. Sini and Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. The people involved, seven of whom are charged with a top count of operating as a major trafficker, are accused of selling large amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine and powder cocaine throughout the county, officials say.

"These arrests are a major, major blow to the drug supply in our communities," Sini said. "The criminal element feels invisible right now, and because of that, they feel invincible, but we’re here to let them know that they’re dead wrong."

According to the DA, the seven charged as major drug traffickers include:

• Keston Braithwaite, 37, of Brooklyn, is charged with two counts of operating as a major trafficker and second-degree conspiracy.
• Cordea D. Buckhannan, 35, of Selden, is charged with two counts of operating as a major trafficker, two counts of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy, seven counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
• Rashad Calhoun, 40, of Central Islip, is charged with operating as a major trafficker, second-degree conspiracy, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
• Naquan Gray, 34, of Pennsylvania, is charged with two counts of operating as a major trafficker, two counts of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
• Joel Hope, 41, of Brooklyn, is charged with operating as a major trafficker and second degree-conspiracy.
• Justin C. Lastique, 43, of Brooklyn, is charged with operating as a major trafficker and second-degree conspiracy.
• Anthony F. Loor, 34, of Holtsville, is charged with two counts of operating as a major trafficker, second-degree conspiracy, two counts of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and seven counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

In addition, according to the DA, the following people were also charged in connection to the drug ring:

• Michael Everette, 36, of Ronkonkoma, is charged with second-degree conspiracy, four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm.
• Christopher C. Gwynn, 35, of Lake Grove, is charged with second-degree conspiracy, four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana.
• Ashley N. Labarbera, 28, of Holtsville, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.
• Guy B. Marcello, 35, of Lake Ronkonkoma, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.
• Joseph Russo, 28, of Bohemia, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.
• Melissa Schaus, 48, of Bay Shore, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.
• Henry Smoot, 35, of St. James, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.
• Matthew P. Versoza, 33, of Holbrook, is charged with second-degree conspiracy.

The investigation into the drug ring began in August 2019 and involved the use of court-authorized eavesdropping as well as physical and electronic surveillance.

Through the investigation, officials found evidence that the 15 people arrested were allegedly operating a large-scale drug distribution network, in which they sold straight fentanyl that they were marketing as heroin, as well as other narcotics, the DA said. Due to a decrease in the supply of certain narcotics during the course of the pandemic, they allegedly marked up their prices from $36,000 for a kilogram of cocaine prior to the epidemic to $48,000 to $49,000 for a kilogram of cocaine in recent weeks.

"We know that those who deal these deadly drugs do not care who they hurt; their goal is to increase demand by increasing the number of those who are addicted," Hart said. "The fact that we are in the midst of a global pandemic did not deter these criminals; rather, they saw it as an opportunity to increase their bottom line. I would like to thank the District Attorney and his team for their continued partnership."

Police executed 16 search warrants on May 20, which resulted in the seizure of four kilograms of fentanyl, two and one-half kilograms of cocaine, half a kilogram of crack cocaine, 10 pounds of marijuana, 11 loaded firearms, two assault weapons, one shotgun, three high capacity ammunition feeding devices, and more than $244,000 in cash, the DA said.

Several drug paraphernalia was also seized, including a hydraulic kilogram press, packaging materials consistent with drug sales, scales, vacuum sealers, cutting agent, and money counting machines. One of the firearms recovered was found to have been stolen from a law enforcement officer in North Carolina.

The seven charged as major traffickers face up to 25 years to life in prison. The others face between eight and 25 years in prison.

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