Named in the complaint are:
- Israel Cedeno-Martinez, 42, a/k/a Punta
- Mark Jones, Jr., 29, a/k/a Poop
- Marcel Jones, 26, a/k/a Cell, a/k/a Bug
- Mark Jones, Sr., 53, a/k/a Pimp Juice, a/k/a Juice
- Andrew Woodhouse, 30, a/k/a Woody
- Scott Washington, a/k/a Body, a/k/a Addy
- Shareef McCray, 39, a/k/a Reef, a/k/a Gritz
- Tanner Rios, 29, a/k/a Ree
In addition, defendants Marcel Jones, Mark Jones, Jr., Mark Jones, Sr., Shareef McCray, and Tanner Rios are charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and maximum of life to be served consecutive to any penalty received on the drug charge.
“As this case demonstrates, the scourge of heroin has now reared its head in the beautiful community of Elmira,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “To address this life and death threat, we in all levels of law enforcement are committed to using all available tools until all traffickers are brought to justice.”
“As opioid overdose rates skyrocket, and law enforcement seize heroin in record amounts, our country is battling one of the largest drug threats to date,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt. “Today’s arrests have permanently dismantled an organization responsible for supplying our neighborhoods with poison used to feed addiction, enable crime and destroy families.” SAC Hunt commends DEA’s local, state and federal law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation.
New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Thanks to our continued partnership with federal and local law enforcement, the members of a dangerous drug trafficking operation are now behind bars, and we have prevented a significant amount of heroin from reaching the streets. Our message to drug dealers is simple: We will not tolerate illegal drug activity in our communities.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police, Elmira Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been investigating the drug trafficking activities of the eight defendants led by Marcel Jones since July 2015.
The complaint further states that since at least 2013, the defendants distributed heroin throughout the City of Elmira, NY and the surrounding areas. The organization obtained large quantities of heroin primarily from defendant Israel Cedeno-Martinez in Trenton, New Jersey, and others including defendant Shareef McCray, an alternate source-of-supply in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Cedeno-Martinez provided large quantities of heroin to Mark Jones, Jr. who utilized 272 East Northhampton Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania as a primary residence and a location to store, process, and package the heroin. The heroin was then transported by vehicle to Elmira and sold by multiple distributors of the organization.
The investigation determined that heroin sold by the organization contained fentanyl, a deadly narcotic sometimes added to heroin. At least three known customers of the organization died after overdosing.
from US Dept. of Justice via IFTTT
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