MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities busted a heroin distribution ring that annually ferried millions of dollars in drugs from Brooklyn to communities across eastern Long Island, a suburban New York prosecutor said Wednesday.
Fourteen people were arraigned in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead on various charges including conspiracy and drug possession, District Attorney Thomas Spota said.
“These defendants flooded Suffolk County with tens of thousands of bags of heroin they brought here from a Brooklyn dealer,” Spota said.
He identified the alleged Brooklyn dealer as Miguel Vicente, 32, who was ordered held on $7 million bond at his arraignment in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead. Vicente’s attorney, Lance Lazzaro, said his client intends to fight the charges. “He never stepped foot in Suffolk County,” Lazzaro said.
Also charged were a husband and wife from Holtsville, Aaron Smith and Kelly Mullen. They were charged with drug trafficking, drug possession and conspiracy.
Defense attorney Robert Macedonio said his client, Smith, denies the allegations. He said Smith lives a modest lifestyle and there is little evidence that he profited from the millions in drug proceeds he is alleged to have garnered. Mullen’s attorney did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
Both Smith and Mullen were being held on $3 million bond.
The other defendants are suspected of distributing heroin throughout Suffolk. Prosecutors said Smith and Mullen’s home was used as a main distribution point for local drug dealers from Holbrook, Oakdale, Islip, Central Islip, Ronkonkoma, Shirley and Riverhead.
Spota noted that Vicente, Mullen and Smith were not believed to be heroin users.
“Their addiction is to greed, a craving they satisfied by destroying the lives of other people,” the prosecutor said.
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