$500K In Marijuana Seized From Long Island Drug Trafficker: DA

A drug trafficker from Old Westbury was arrested on Tuesday after more than $500,000 worth of marijuana was found in his possession, which authorities are calling one of the largest marijuana seizures in Nassau County history, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas says.

Micah Raskin, 49, was arraigned on Wednesday for several charges related to possessing more than 350 pounds of marijuana, large quantities hash oils containing THC, drug paraphernalia, weapons and packaging materials.

The DA says an investigation that began in November 2017 identified Raskin as the supplier of large amounts of marijuana and hash oils that were shipped to the Baltimore area.

“Raskin is alleged to have trafficked hundreds of pounds of marijuana across state lines, creating a lucrative business over the years,” Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) of New York, said in a statement.

Raskin would receive drug shipments to locations on Long Island and store them in his Old Westbury home and in a Garden City storage facility before a courier delivered the drugs to customers in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Virginia and New York, the DA says. Raskin would allegedly charge $1,400 for a pound of marijuana.

A search warrant was executed on Raskin’s home and storage locker on Tuesday. The DA says members of the Nassau County Police Department and Long Island HSI Task Force seized:

• 358 pounds of marijuana, which has an estimated street value of more than $500,000
• Hash oils containing concentrated doses of THC, which is estimated to be worth $170,000 to $340,000.
• Drug paraphernalia
• Packaging materials
• A loaded shotgun
• A Taser
• Paperwork documenting payment and prices for the drug products
• 2016 Land Rover Range Rover
• 2016 Chevrolet Corvette
• $140,000 in monetary funds
• High-end artwork believed to be worth more than $100,000

“With this seizure of more than 350 pounds of marijuana and huge quantities of hash oils, this alleged dealer’s time living the high life selling drugs is over,” Singas said.

Authorities believe Raskin served as a marijuana trafficker for several years.

The investigation is ongoing.

Raskin was arraigned on Wednesday on the following charges:

• First-degree criminal possession of marijuana
• Second-degree criminal possession of marijuana
• Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon

He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted of the top count.

Raskin’s bail was set at $225,000 bond or $150,000 cash. He is due back in court on Friday, Feb. 9.

Images via NCDA