Office Of The Special Narcotics Prosecutor For The City Of New York

TrendsSkyrocketing Heroin Supply DrivesOverdose Ratesin New York City, doubling between 2010and 2013. In 2013, 54% of all fatal drugpoisonings in the city involved heroin,making it the most common substanceinvolved in overdose deaths, accordingto the New York City Department ofHealth and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).This mirrors nationwide trends reported bythe U.S. Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC).The proliferation of New York City-basedheroin distributors and widespread floodingPhoto Credit: R. Umar Abbasi, PhotographerThe exploding epidemic of opioid abuse andoverdose deaths affects every region in theU.S., but nowhere more than New York City,which has emerged as the nation’s mostsignificant heroin market and distribution hub.According to the DEA, approximately 20% ofthe heroin seized nationwide since 2010 wasrecovered in New York State.In 2014, joint investigations with SNPand our law enforcement partners resultedin the seizure of three times as muchheroin as in previous years—approximately342 kilograms (750 lbs.), including anexceptionally high number of largershipments in the 20 kilogram (44 lbs.) range.Skyrocketing seizures are a reflectionof an alarming upsurge in the availabilityof heroin and the resulting escalation ofoverdose deaths. Heroin and prescriptionopioid painkillers are a major focus for SNP,as both fuel the current epidemic of opioidaddiction and abuse. The rate of overdosedeaths involving opioid prescription drugsincreased by 256% from 2000 to 2013.However, fatal overdose deaths due toheroin have outstripped pill-related deathsSpecial Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan joinsthe DEA, the NYPD and the New York State Police inannouncing two major heroin investigations.Heroin seizures (in pounds) by year: 4200620072008200920102011201220132014In 2014, heroin seizures in SNP’s cases tripled in comparison to previous years.6

Trends: Skyrocketing Heroin Supply Drives Overdose Rates continuedof markets across New York State promptedSNP to form the Heroin Interdiction Team (HIT)in late 2014. Working with dedicated teamsfrom the New York State Police, the U.S. DrugEnforcement Administration (DEA), the NewYork City Police Department (NYPD) and otheragencies, HIT focuses on cooperating withlocal prosecutors and law enforcement toshare intelligence and resources.NYC Neighborhoods Impactedby Heroin Overdose DeathsWhile much of the heroin that arrives in NewYork City is bound for outside markets, cityoverdose death rates starkly demonstratethat plenty stays here. City residents in high-poverty neighborhoods have the highestrates of fatal heroin overdoses. At the sametime, the sharpest increases in overdosesare in the wealthiest neighborhoods.Studies show that a majority of those in thenew heroin user group first developed anaddiction to prescription opioid painkillers.The Bronx has more heroin-relatedfatalities than any other borough. Fiveyears ago, neighborhoods in the SouthBronx were hardest hit, but now escalatingoverdose rates threaten to engulf the wholeborough. Staten Island comes in a closesecond to the Bronx in heroin overdoses percapita. High death rates have also sweptacross Brooklyn and Queens.Top five New York City neighborhoods:Rates of heroin-related overdose deaths by residence, 2012–2013Fordham—Bronx ParkCrotona—TremontHeroin, 2012-2013Rate Range (Rate per 100,000)Hunts Point—Mott Haven1.1—3.63.7—6.46.5—16.6Top 5 NeighborhoodsWillowbrookSouth Beach—TottenvilleSource: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)7

Trends: Skyrocketing Heroin Supply Drives Overdose Rates continuedCollaborative Enforcement EffortsLaw enforcement strives to interceptheroin shipments and dismantle traffickingorganizations at the highest level possible.Local trafficking groups receive bulkshipments of heroin from internationalsuppliers. The heroin is processed andpackaged for retail distribution at “mill”locations, most commonly set up inapartments in the Bronx and UpperManhattan. These areas appeal to traffickersdue to their proximity to major thoroughfares,such as Interstate 95.Heroin is sold by local street-levelorganizations within New York City ortransported to communities across NewYork State and the Northeast, where the saleprice is higher. In 2014, New York City-basedheroin trafficking groups transported millionsof dollars in heroin to these markets.One Bronx-based group obtained heroinfrom Colombian suppliers and ran loadsup to Hartford, Conn. by car. DEA agentsNYC Heroin Mills: 2013 - 20148A Rosedale, Queensbased truckingcompany transportedheroin cross-country.seized 24 kilograms of heroin (53 lbs.), overnine kilograms of cocaine (20 lbs.), 85,000in cash and three firearms in the Bronx andHartford.Another investigation focused on aBrooklyn organization trafficking in a varietyof narcotics, both in New York and in

Trends: Skyrocketing Heroin Supply Drives Overdose Rates continuedVermont, and engaging in a wide range ofcriminal money-making schemes. Membersof the group dropped off drugs in Vermontand returned to Brooklyn with prostitutes.Heroin moving through New Yorkis highly pure and typically originates inSouth America, or less frequently Mexico.Shipments travel by plane, boat, truck, andparcel delivery service—increasingly passingthrough the hands of Mexican cartels—andare concealed in myriad ways.These investigations remove dangerousnarcotics from our communities and therebyreduce overdose deaths. Through narcoticsenforcement, we address the violenceassociated with drug trafficking and removefirearms from the hands of criminals.Doctor Sentenced to Prison forManslaughter, Prescription Salesand Other CrimesIn a groundbreaking case, a physician whorecklessly caused the deaths of two patientsand endangered six more was sentencedto an effective minimum prison term of 102/3 years and a maximum of 20 years.Following a four-month trial, Dr. Stan XuhuiLi was convicted on 198 counts, includingmanslaughter, criminal sale of prescriptionsand other crimes. Jurors heard testimonyfrom over 70 witnesses, including relativesof patients who had died and survivingformer patients who had visited Li’s painmanagement clinic in Flushing, Queens. Lisold prescriptions to at least 20 patients atthis clinic, primarily in exchange for cash.Among these patients was David Laffer, whogunned down four innocent people insidea pharmacy in Medford, Long Island and isserving a life sentence for first-degree murder.Li was charged with selling prescriptions toLaffer, but not with the pharmacy homicides.During the time the doctor operated hisQueens pain management clinic, he was alsoemployed as an anesthesiologist at a hospitalin New Jersey.New York Times, July 19, 20149

SNP OutreachSharing Expertise with International PartnersPolice officers from Croatia participate in the Department ofState’s International Visitor Leadership Program.Narcotics investigators from the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office,Republic of Korea, meet with SNP staff.National Security officials and other dignitaries from Kazakhstandiscuss crime fighting strategies.Prosecutors and members of the Royal Malaysian Police discussnarcotics trends.Professional RecognitionFederal Drug AgentsFoundation honors EryckKratville, Chief of the HeroinInterdiction Team (far right),and the DEA’s Long IslandDivision Office Group D-14.Federal Drug AgentsFoundation honors AssistantDistrict Attorney MatthewMcKenzie (third from right)and the DEA’s New YorkDrug Enforcement Task ForceGroup T-42.Clark Abrams, Chief of the MoneyLaundering and Financial InvestigationsUnit, receives the Thomas E. Dewey Medalfrom the New York City Bar Association.Assistant District AttorneyKristin Bailey (secondfrom left) and SNPinvestigators are honoredby the Morris County,N.J. Prosecutor’s Office.Federal Drug Agents Foundation DirectorShaquille O’Neal greets Special NarcoticsProsecutor Bridget G. Brennan.10

Community InitiativesA series of four youth gang forumssponsored by SNP culminated withthe premiere of the documentary, “OneLast Chance,” on June 9, 2014. Thedocumentary, created by participatingyouth, explores the pitfalls faced by youngpeople incarcerated for drug dealing, ganginvolvement and gun violence.Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennanwelcomes a panel to address alternatives to youthgang activity.The youth gang forums, which beganin October 2012, provided a framework foryoung people to collaborate and addressthe serious problems that stem from streetgangs in New York City. A cross-section ofcommunity leaders and clergy membersalso participated in the forums, which werepresented in collaboration with Rev. Al Taylorand his organization “Man Up in Harlem.”Co-Chiefs of SNP’s Gang ProsecutionUnit kicked off the series with a discussionof the history of gang/crew activity andthe office’s methods of combatting gang-related violence and associated criminalactivity on October 16, 2012. This inauguralpresentation took place at the Adam ClaytonPowell, Jr. State Office Building in Harlem.The second forum encouraged input fromyouth on topics such as drug dealing, gang/crew involvement and gun violence. A youthcommittee was formed to develop strategiesfor helping today’s young people meet themany challenges that confront them. Thisevent was held on January 30, 2013 at theInfinity Mennonite Church of Harlem.On May 16, 2013, the youth committee,which consisted primarily of members fromChildren’s Village, Inc., presented a formalreport on their ideas for deterring ganginvolvement. Youth also set the goal ofcreating a documentary during this meetingat Convent Avenue Baptist Church.The final forum featured the premiereof “One Last Chance,” which was directedby Vaughn Thorpe, a youth from Children’sVillage, Inc., with technical assistancefrom Kevin Lopez, CEO of LPZ Media,LLC. The documentary was shown atthe Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State OfficeBuilding. Afterwards, past and presentmembers of Children’s Village, Inc. spokeon the experiences they encountered whileincarcerated and of the positive transitionsthey have made since that time.Youth from Children’s Village participated in a series of gang forums.11

Investigation Division2014 SNP WIRETAP MENT TYPESCellphone221Chat Accounts26BBM9Telephones3Email1260INVESTIGATION ACTIVITYTrial Division133Special Invest. Bureau144Prescription Drug57Narcotics Gang4338the criminal enterprises extend beyondcounty, state, and international borders.SIB prosecutors work with the DrugEnforcement Administration (DEA), theNew York City Police Department (NYPD),the New York State Police, the New YorkDrug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF),the New York Organized Crime DrugEnforcement Strike Force, U.S. Immigrationand Customs Enforcement (ICE) HomelandSecurity Investigations (HSI) and other local,state, federal and foreign law enforcement.In 2014, SIB launched 155 investigationstargeting a wide range of criminal activityincluding drug trafficking, robberies,weapons trafficking and money laundering.The bureau also commenced civil actionsto forfeit narcotics proceeds. Senior staffsupervised wiretap investigations involving260 eavesdropping applications, including157 originals, 78 extensions and 25amendments. Narcotics investigationsresulted in the seizure of approximately 625pounds of heroin, 398 pounds of cocaine,3,350 oxycodone pills and 37 pounds ofmarijuana, as well as various other drugs.Heroin Interdiction TeamChief of Investigations Joseph J. Tesoriero (right) meets to discuss training forthe office’s team of analysts.Special Investigations BureauThe Special Investigations Bureau(SIB) targets major narcotics traffickingorganizations, including those that importand distribute multi-kilogram quantitiesof cocaine and heroin. The activities of12The resurgence of heroin throughout NewYork State drove SNP to create the HeroinInterdiction Team (HIT) in late 2014. HIT istasked with combating the flow of herointo the area surrounding New York City,particularly upstate counties. Workingwith a dedicated team of New York Statetroopers, DEA agents, NYPD officers andother law enforcement officials, HIT focuseson cooperating with local prosecutors andlaw enforcement to share intelligence andresources to take down the organizationsresponsible for spreading heroin from themills in New York City to New York State asa whole.

Investigation Division continuedPrescription Drug InvestigationUnitAlarming rates of prescription drug abuseand related crimes led SNP to form thePrescription Drug Investigation Unit. Theunit, created in 2011, is designed to combatthe proliferation of prescription narcoticson the black market by investigating andprosecuting the criminal distribution ofthese drugs. Prosecutions target a range ofsubjects, from members of street level drugorganizations to doctors and pharmacistsengaged in the criminal sale of prescriptionsor pills. Armed robberies of pharmacies,shootings, home invasions and other violentcrimes are also associated with prescriptiondrug diversion. The unit works closely withthe New York State Health Department’sBureau of Narcotics Enforcement, theNYPD and the DEA, among other lawenforcement agencies.Narcotics Gang UnitThe Narcotics Gang Unit was establishedin 2002. It concentrates on violentneighborhood gangs, robbery crews, andweapons traffickers committing drugrelated criminal activity across the city. Theunit works closely with detectives from theNYPD’s Gang Division, Narcotics Division andPrecinct members. The unit has developedexpertise in the use of new technologies andcollecting evidence through social media,such as Instagram, Twitter, YouTube andFacebook. In addition to narcotics trafficking,the unit also prosecuted murder andmurder conspiracy, assault, armed robbery,kidnapping, burglary, weapons possessionand illegal firearms sales.Money Laundering and FinancialInvestigations UnitThe Money Laundering and FinancialInvestigations Unit was initiated in 2001, andreconfigured in 2005 and 2008. It investigatesnarcotics-related money laundering and otherfinancial criminal activity. Cases are generatedfrom multiple sources, including intelligencedeveloped during narcotics investigations. Theunit aims to prevent foreign drug traffickingorganizations from repatriating drug proceedsthrough smuggling, as well as through the useof the financial system and international trade;and local drug organizations from benefitingfrom illicit profits.Forfeiture InvestigationsEstablished more than 25 years ago, theForfeiture Investigations Unit evaluates felonydrug prosecutions for potential civil litigationto recover proceeds of narcotics crimes. Theunit works closely with law enforcement—on the federal, state and local levels—inidentifying criminal assets to deprive narcoticstraffickers and money-laundering groups ofthe profits of criminality. The unit has in placea comprehensive set of systems to trackoffice participation in investigations resultingin forfeiture actions. In 2014, 315 federalforfeiture actions were initiated and 290 werecompleted. At the state level, 393 actionswere initiated and 412 were completed.Case HighlightsNarcotic Street GangsViolent neighborhood street gangs have hada destabilizing effect on our most vulnerablecommunities. Groups of teens and youngadults are at war with one another overterritory and status, showing little regard forthe innocent lives jeopardized by public gunbattles. Crews fund illegal gun purchases andother criminal activity by selling narcotics.In 2014, a close collaboration betweenSNP’s Gang Prosecutions Unit, the BrooklynDistrict Attorney’s Office and the NYPDresulted in the arrest of 16 members and13

Investigation Division continuedassociates of a gang called “GS9” andthe seizure of 21 firearms. Based in EastFlatbush, the gang’s reach extendedthroughout the city and to Miami, Fla. Duringthe investigation, members of the NYPD’sBrooklyn South Violence Reduction TaskForce probed nearly two-dozen shootings.Photo Credit: WPIXGuns seized from members of GS9.New York Times, December 19, 201414A 101-count indictment chargedmembers of the group in connection with 14of these shootings, including a homicide in abodega in Brooklyn. On several occasions,members of the gang fired shots into crowdsof bystanders in Brooklyn and Miami. Moneyfrom narcotics sales funded the purchase offirearms and other criminal activity.On December 17, 2014, NYPD officersarrested eight defendants in the vicinity ofQuad Recording Studios at 723 7th Avenuein Manhattan, including Ackquille Pollard, aka“Bobby Shmurda,” and Chad Marshall, aka“Rowdy Rebel.” These two individuals and anumber of their codefendants also perform asa rap group under the name “GS9.” Additionaldefendants were arrested elsewhere in thecity and in Miami, while two were incarceratedoutside of New York State.

Investigation Division continuedThe case was built largely onphysical evidence, including ballisticsand DNA evidence, surveillance videos,eyewitness testimony and recorded phoneconversations. Police also examined textmessages, social media postings andphotos for corroborating evidence.Charges include Conspiracy, Murder,Attempted Murder, Assault, AttemptedAssault, Weapons Possession, CriminalUse of a Firearm, Reckless Endangerment,Narcotics Sales and Criminally Using DrugParaphernalia.Millions of Dollars in HeroinSeized from Bronx PackagingMill and Vehicle“Good Guys” Trucking CompanyTransports Heroin Cross-CountryThe owner of a Queens trucking companycalled “Good Guys Transport Corp.” anda driver were arrested for smuggling 15kilograms (33 pounds) of heroin fromCalifornia to Hauppauge, Long Island insidea tractor trailer. The pair was apprehendedby agents with the DEA’s New York DrugEnforcement Task Force, who foundheroin concealed in a “trap,” or hiddencompartment, on the back wall of the truck’scab. Heroin was pressed into rectangularblocks or formed into the shape of shoesoles. The driver allegedly picked up the 15kilograms of heroin in Riverside, Calif. andpaid an individual there 750,000 cash beforetransporting the load back to New York.Photo credit: R. Umar Abbasi, PhotographerAgents dismantled a heroin traffickingoperation and seized approximately 10kilograms (over 22 lbs.) packaged for streetlevel distribution. The organization, whichoperated a heroin mill on Boynton Avenuein the Bronx, marketed its product under avariety of brand names, including “Prada,”“Audi,” “Pinky Dinky” and “Sin City,” thatwere stamped onto user-ready glassineenvelopes. Members of the DEA’s DrugEnforcement Task Force were conductingsurveil

Prosecutor in 1992 and served for six years . On May 1, 1998, Bridget G . Brennan was appointed Special Narcotics Prosecutor by the city's five District Attorneys . Under her direction, the office has developed innovative strategies to stem the flow of drugs into the city and target emerging problems, such as