MAJOR DRUG BUST
Six charged in ‘largest seizure of illegal narcotics I have ever seen,’ sheriff says
Six people were charged in a major drug bust that Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo described Monday as “the largest seizure of illegal narcotics I have ever seen.”
Following a six-month investigation, police executed seven search warrants that netted 2.5 kilos of cocaine worth $250,000; 20 pounds of marijuana, two illegally-possessed pistols, 18 long guns, five vehicles and more than $264,000 in cash.
Dennis E. Jones, 64, of 425 Route 32 in Schuylerville, is considered the drug ring’s leader and a large cocaine distributor. He and Kent D. Daniels, 54, of 1000 Route 9, Gansevoort, and Cleveland A. Francis, 44, of Mount Vernon, face the most serious charges.
“It was a major operation,” Zurlo said during a press conference at Saratoga County offices in Ballston Spa. “I think we put a major dent into the trafficking of marijuana and cocaine in this region.”
Zurlo was joined by state police, federal Drug Enforcement Administration officials and Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen, who said
an investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible. Zurlo credited Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Police Department for cooperating with the investigation.
Jones was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (1.5 kilos of cocaine), an A-1 felony; firstdegree criminal possession of marijuana (20 pounds), a C felony; and two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Daniels was charged with first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, an A-1 felony; and fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
Francis was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A-2 felony. Police say he allegedly sold cocaine throughout Saratoga County. He was caught with multiple ounces of cocaine during a traffic stop in Stillwater.
All three defendants were sent to Saratoga County Jail without bail.
They allegedly ran the drug trafficking operation with Ahbdul Maldonado, 46, of 107 Kent St. in Albany, whom Albany police charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, both felonies; and fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
However, two other persons have been arrested.
Debra Comorski, 53, of 427 Route 32 in Schuylerville, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana; and Robert Wilder, 52, of 249 Old Saratoga Road in Gansevoort, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
“Because this is an ongoing investigation we are not rushing anything to a grand jury,” Heggen said. “At the appropriate time we’ll move forward.”
Zurlo said the investigation, involving an undercover officer who made numerous cocaine purchases, was prompted by information his department obtained last September. Search warrants were executed on Sunday, March 4.
“As the case grew it extended outside Saratoga County,” Zurlo said.
However, he declined comment about the drug cache’s source or how big an area drugs were distributed in.
Much of the region’s narcotics problem has been focused on heroin and opioid abuse in recent months. But authorities said they weren’t surprised at the large quantity of cocaine recovered because this drug is quite prevalent, too.
“You never know where this type of activity is going to take place,” Zurlo said.
The alleged drug traffickers had “no regard” for the health and safety of local residents, said Capt. Greg Thomas of the state police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team.
“By taking dealers off the streets we can improve the quality of our neighborhoods and save lives,” he said.