Six-Month Drug Investigation Nets Charges Against 14 in Rockland

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Zugibe announced Monday that a six-month investigation of a drug ring based out of Haverstraw led to the arrest of 14 individuals on drug charges.

The defendants are charged with selling crack and powdered cocaine to undercover police officers on Church Street in Garnerville, leading to more than two dozen counts of criminal sale and criminal possession of controlled substances.

"The main defendants are accused of operating as a tightly-knit family business that catered to drug buyers from across Rockland County," Zugibe said. "These arrests underscore our commitment to continue to work to improve the quality of life for the residents of our community, some of whom have been plagued by illegal drug trafficking near their homes."

Cousins Juan Medina, 26, of Garnerville and Delvin Fernandez, 34, of West Haverstraw, allegedly ran the drug organization from Fine Line Barbershop and Salon, a West Haverstraw business owned by Fernandez. The Town of Haverstraw Police Department Street Crime Unit informed the Rockland County Drug Task Force of complaints from local residents about illegal drug activity in GArnerville.

Investigators discovered that cocaine packages were sent through the United States Postal Service. Money generated from the sales went to family members of Medina and Fernandez in Puerto Rico, who then distributed it back to family members in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $4,800. Fernandez, directed by family members in Puerto Rico, tried to conceal $35,000 in his luggage to bypass TSA agents at John F. Kennedy International airport  The Rockland County Drug Task Force, working with the Department of Homeland Security, seized the money.

The investigation, "Operation Higher Ground," involved the Town of Haverstraw Police Department Street Crime Unite, ICE-Homeland Security Investigations, the New York State Police - Haverstraw - Troop F K-9 Unit, the NY/NJ HIDTA, United States Postal Inspectors, Town of Clarkstown Police Department Street Crime Unit and Schenectady Police Department. 

"This latest sweep of dangerous drug dealers is the result of our partnership with a variety of state and federal agencies," said Rockland County Drug Task Force Director Christopher Goldrick. "These relationships provide tremendous resources to Rockland's law enforcement organizations, including intelligence and analytical mapping. We will continue to attack drug trafficking and the violence it generates whenever and wherever it surfaces."

The defendants face numerous charges of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, both class B felonies and each punishable by as long as nine years in prison.  

The individuals arrested and the charges they face are as follows:

• Delvin Fernandez, 34, West Haverstraw -- 1 count Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 1st degree, A-II Felony; 2 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B felony; 2 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony; 1 count Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A Felony
• Juan Medina, 26, Garnerville -- 1 count Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A-II Felony
• Tyler Bosciano, 24, Monsey -- 1 count Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 2nd degree, A-II Felony
• Xavier Urena, 30, Haverstraw -- 1 count Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Ahmad Jeffrey, 25, Haverstraw -- 1 count Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Herber Barrientos, 31, Garnerville -- 3 counts Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Robin Germosen, 24, West Haverstraw -- 1 count Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Elias DeLeon, 39, Haverstraw --  2 counts Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Michelle Rodriguez, 43, Haverstraw -- 2 counts Criminal Sale Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony; 2 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Eugene Bronico, 43, Garnerville -- 2 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony; 2 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 3rd degree, B Felony
• Richard Luongo, 32, West Haverstraw -- 5 counts Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, Misdemeanor
• Alberto Rivera, 41, Thiells -- 1 count Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, Misdemeanor; 1 count Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Violation
• Sara Papa Cantor, 35, New Milford, NJ -- 1 count Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, Misdemeanor; 1 count Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, violation
• Jose Lopez, 35, Nanuet -- 1 count Criminal Possession Controlled Substance 7th degree, Misdemeanor