Two drug dealers, including one charged with the overdose death of his infant son last year, are suspected of trying to smuggle court documents soaked in liquid fentanyl to Rikers Island, prosecutors announced Thursday. did.
Adam Camergate and Curtis Braswell were indicted this week on multiple drug charges in what the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office called a “first of its kind.”
Braswell, 37, allegedly injected court documents with liquid fentanyl, cocaine and PCP to Rikers inmate Kamagate, 37, in Staten Island Supreme Court in hopes of getting the drugs to the Big Apple prison. It is said that it was delivered.
Investigators with the New York City Department of Corrections learned of the new scheme in September through a phone call Kamagate made from inside Rikers and seized drug documents, prosecutors said.
Investigators also discovered that Camergate and Braswell, who lived in Albany, are suspected of attempting the same illegal activity at least twice over the summer.
District Attorney Michael McMahon noted that Camergate was arrested and charged last year in the death of a baby boy, who police say died after ingesting fentanyl and cocaine inside his Staten Island home. did.
Kamagate was charged with second-degree manslaughter and other drug charges in the incident last June.
He accused Mr Kamagate of shameless drug trafficking allegations following the “horrible and tragic” death of his son in February last year.
“As the fentanyl crisis rages across our country, and here at home, we know all too well the lengths to which those involved in the drug trade will go to avoid detection. But this conspiracy is new. It was a horrible surprise,” McMahon said in a statement.
“Despite the depraved creativity of these two men, they were ultimately no match for my office and our partners in the Department of Corrections, who through incredible investigative efforts eliminated their plans and Now we want to hold them fully accountable and send a message to the rest of our cities and countries as they face this new threat. ”
Mr. Camergate was arraigned on Wednesday and returned to Rikers, while Mr. Braswell was arraigned on Thursday and his bail was set at $1 million.
According to court documents, Braswell faces 26 criminal charges, while Camergate faces 21 charges, including multiple counts of promoting first-degree prison contraband, criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Criminal charges have been filed.
“The fentanyl epidemic plagues our nation, and we must do everything we can to stop those who are exacerbating the crisis and hold them accountable,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. No,” he said.
In this case, Kamagate could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. The manslaughter case involving his son’s death remains unsolved.
If convicted, Braswell faces up to 20 years in prison.
