AG James announced the takedown of a drug trafficking ring in the Hudson Valley that illegally sold cocaine, powder fentanyl, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl across Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) recovered two and a half kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $45,000, thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl worth over $500,000, and three and a half kilograms of powder fentanyl worth over $200,000. Five illegal handguns, including two ghost guns, and four high-capacity magazines were also seized during the operation. A 122-count indictment charging four individuals for their roles in the drug trafficking network was unsealed in Dutchess County Court. The indictment charges Xavier Grant, Antawone West, Michael Jones, and Kenyi Torres with multiple felonies for narcotics and firearms offenses.

“Drug traffickers who distribute lethal amounts of opioids put communities throughout our state in danger. Not only did these individuals sell deadly narcotics, they disguised fentanyl in fake prescription pills, putting the lives of their customers at even greater risk. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their collaboration in this effort to take a dangerous criminal organization off our streets as we continue to work to keep New Yorkers safe.” – AG James