Jackson heights drug ring busted after 17-month undercover operation

QUEENS, NY — Nine people have been indicted following a long-term investigation into a street-level drug dealing operation centered on 95th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

The 17-month investigation, led by the DA’s Major Economic Crimes Bureau and the NYPD’s Queens North Narcotics Bureau, resulted in 40 undercover buys of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine, totaling nearly $13,000 in street value. Seven suspects were arrested and arraigned on a 142-count indictment that includes charges of criminal sale and possession of controlled substances.

DA Katz described the alleged operation as a major public safety issue. “As alleged, these defendants sold deadly fentanyl along with cocaine and crack on or near a residential street in Jackson Heights. The transactions took place in plain view,” she said. One disturbing incident involved a child allegedly being used to facilitate a fentanyl transaction.

According to investigators, sales were routinely conducted between 35th and 37th Avenues on 95th Street, often in broad daylight. In one case, defendant Rodolfo Lopez allegedly told an undercover officer to give $500 to a child for fentanyl, later retrieved from a parked car. In another instance, Lopez reportedly left a plastic bag of narcotics on a vehicle windshield for pick-up.

The investigation, which began in August 2023, resulted in the seizure of 88.5 grams of fentanyl, 85.9 grams of cocaine, and 4.5 grams of crack. Two defendants remain at large.

Court dates set for apprehended suspects

Queens Supreme Court Justice Karen Gopee ordered Lopez, Rosario, and Fernandez to return to court on May 7. Rodriguez, Aurandzeb, Moncayo, and Romero are scheduled to appear May 5. The arrests took place between April 1 and April 11.

Key Points

Nine individuals indicted in Jackson Heights drug operation; seven have been arrested.
Undercover officers made 40 buys totaling $12,905 in fentanyl, cocaine, and crack.
One alleged sale involved handing money to a child to facilitate a fentanyl transaction.

Officials say the arrests bring relief to residents of Jackson Heights and mark a major step in disrupting dangerous street-level drug sales.

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