Arrests Made in Major Fentanyl and Cocaine Operation
Authorities report that six individuals have been implicated in a large-scale drug trafficking operation, transporting dangerous substances from the Bronx to Long Island. They possessed a quantity of fentanyl that could potentially be lethal to every resident of Suffolk County.
This group allegedly ran a significant pipeline distributing fentanyl and cocaine throughout the area, significantly contributing to the overdose crisis that affects Suffolk County. Officials indicated that hundreds lose their lives here each year due to these substances.
Suffolk County Attorney Ray Tierney addressed the issue at a press conference, emphasizing that the county will not tolerate such activities. “If you are involved in distributing these deadly drugs in Suffolk County, we will cooperate with law enforcement to investigate, prosecute, and ensure you face the full extent of the law,” he stated.
The six suspects—John Corrado (26), Michael Torres (26), Elgenis Paulino (25), Luigi Peralta (31), Anthony Dominguez (33), and David Priest (35)—were arraigned on Halloween, pleading not guilty to the charges. According to prosecutors, undercover agents engaged in a series of controlled purchases, acquiring over 7,400 counterfeit oxycodone pills along with approximately 3 kilograms of cocaine valued at $245,000 within a six-month span.
On the day before Halloween, law enforcement conducted searches at the residences of these individuals, most of whom lived in the Suffolk County area, including West Islip, Bayshore, Wyandanch, and Lindenhurst. The police apprehended the suspects on various drug and weapon charges.
Corrado faces more than 40 charges, including first-degree drug sale, possession, weapon-related offenses, and conspiracy. Dominguez and Torres also received multiple charges related to drug and weapon possession and conspiracy.
During the search of Torres’ home, authorities discovered a kilogram of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl, five kilograms of heroin, nearly 2,000 pressed fentanyl pills, and an illegal firearm that had been concealed. “The amount of fentanyl recovered could hypothetically kill every person in Suffolk County,” stated Tierney.
For context, he added that just one kilogram of fentanyl could result in the deaths of 500,000 individuals due to overdose.
At Corrado’s residence in West Islip, police seized a loaded gun and roughly an ounce of heroin and cocaine. Dominguez’s home revealed seven high-capacity gun magazines, around 600 grams of cocaine hidden in a scooter, a hydraulic kilogram press, and another firearm.
Moreover, law enforcement found over $10,000 in cash along with a currency counting machine at Peralta’s properties in Lindenhurst and the Bronx, believed to be tied to their operations.
In total, the authorities confiscated 5 kilograms of heroin, 4 kilograms of fentanyl, about 2 kilograms of cocaine, and around 2,000 fentanyl-laced pills during the raids.
An arsenal was also uncovered, featuring multiple firearms, including two Taurus 9mm pistols, a Glock 43X, a .22 caliber rifle, a 20-gauge shotgun, and several high-capacity magazines. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented on the situation, stating, “These actions have severely impacted communities throughout the Bronx and Long Island, with no consideration for the damage they inflicted.”
