16 Busted; Montauk Drug Distribution Ring Dismantled: DA

MONTAUK, NY — Sixteen people were arrested over two days in the takedown of a Montauk drug distribution ring that involved several seasonal employees in popular local bars and restaurants who were receiving packages of illicit substances through the mail, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said.

Sini, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and members of the DA's East End Drug Task Force announced the arrest of the 16 charged in connection with the drug ring at a press conference in Hauppauge Thursday afternoon.

“This case surrounds the drug trafficking that has been going on in the Montauk area for far too long,” Sini said. “Year-round residents in Montauk have been voicing their concerns for years about the prolific drug dealing in their community, particularly during the summer season when the population increases dramatically. This investigation was swift and effective in targeting the ongoing drug problem, and the reason why is because of excellent collaboration between the federal and local law enforcement agencies involved.”

A multi-agency investigation beginning in March revealed evidence of an alleged conspiracy by the defendants to sell narcotics, including cocaine and oxycodone, to patrons in bars and restaurants in the Montauk area, Sini said.

The commercial establishments included Swallow East, Six-Eight-Six the Gig Shack, Shagwong Tavern, The Liar’s Saloon, and O’Murphy’s Pub & Restaurant, Sini said.

Several of the defendants are seasonal workers in the service industry who live together in rented houses or motels provided by their employers, Sini said.

The investigation revealed evidence that those charged were using both the residences and the businesses at which they were employed to conduct the drug sales, he said.

“These tourist locations thrive during the summer months, providing this organization an expanded client base from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” Sini said. “Given their control over the drug market in Montauk, these co-conspirators were able to charge significantly inflated prices for their illegal products, which included cocaine and oxycodone.”

The defendants received packages of illicit substances through the mail from locations in and outside of the continental United States, Sini said.

An investigation by the U.S. Postal inspection service resulted in the seizure of a package of approximately 100 oxycodone and alprazolam pills addressed to one of the locations where the defendants were living and a second package containing approximately $17,460 in cash mailed by the defendants as payment, Sini said.

On Wednesday, detectives and police officers executed search warrants at five locations connected to the alleged narcotics distribution ring; the search warrants resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals and the seizure of approximately $100,000 cash, approximately 650 grams of cocaine, marijuana, various pills, including alprazolam and hydrocodone, and assorted drug paraphernalia, including a kilo press, cutting agents, cell phones and packaging materials, Sini said.

Those individuals arrested included:

— Geraldo Vargas-Munoz, aka "Chelo," 37, of Montauk, was charged with first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, an A-1 felony, Sini said.

— Elvin Silva-Ruiz, aka "Pito", 40, of Montauk, was charged with second degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, an A-II felony, Sini said.

— Antonio Ramirez-Gonzalez, aka "Tete", 30, of Montauk, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a B felony, Sini said.

— Gilberto Quintana-Crespo, aka "Jimmy," 32, of Montauk, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a B felony, Sini said.

— William Crespo-Duran, aka "Flaco", 35, of Montauk, was charged with second degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A-II felony, Sini said.

— Thomas Harwood, 25, of Montauk, was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor, Sini said.

— Nawar Qanbar, 32, of Montauk, was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor, Sini said.

— Louis Madariaga-Medina, 31, of Montauk, was charged with two counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor, Sini said.

— Israel Padilla-Rosas, 33, of Montauk, was charged with fourth degree criminal possession of marijuana, an A misdemeanor, Sini said.

— Bryan Ruiz-Sanchez, 22, of Montauk, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a B felony, Sini said.

— Alex Joel Tirado-Rivera, 32, of Montauk, was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, Sini said.

— Bracklie Vargas-Gonzalez, 24, of Montauk, was charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, Sini said.

— Kevin Becker, 30, of Montauk, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a B felony, Sini said.

— John DeMelio, 32, of Montauk, was charged with second degree conspiracy, a B felony, Sini said.

— Gilbert Rodriguez-Mendez, 41, of Montauk, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, Sini said.

On Thursday, the East Hampton Town Police Department arrested John Doherty Valentin, 29, of Montauk, in connection with the alleged sale of narcotics in Montauk; he was charged with seven counts of third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a B felony, Sini said.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Nash of the narcotics bureau, and the special narcotics unit, Sini said.

DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge James Hunt commended all those who worked to crack down on the drug ring. “One thing is clear, the wrong kind of traffic was coming to Montauk, NY," he said. "Traffickers who send narcotics through the mail and distribute within restaurants and bars endanger every person and community along the way. It's time that these defendants are held accountable for their brazen actions."

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