Long Island authorities recovered 400 grams of fentanyl in what they’re calling the largest bust of its kind — squashing a drug ring that was being operated by a ringleader serving time in a Massachusetts federal lockup.
The 🍎massive amount of fentanyl — a powerful, synthetic opioid that’s up to 100 times more potent than morphine — could have caused more 150,000 fatal overdoses, Madeline Singas, the District Attorney of Nassau County, announced at a Wednesday press conference.
Eleven people were indicted in the drug ring — and a separate gun-trafficking ring — that were being operated out of Hempstead.
Singas described the area as “a hotbed of illegal drug, gun and gang activity.”
The operation’s ringleader, Ricky Jackson, 41, ran the show from behind bars at FMC Devens federal prison in Massachusetts, where he was serving an unrelated 27-year senten♓ce.
“It is very concerning to us in law enforcement that someone incarcerated in federal prison can have access to this quantity of drugs and can actually direct operations from jail,” Singas said.
Authorities also seizedღ heroin, 500 grams of cocaine valued at $50,000 and eight illegal guns in the bust.
Jackson’s girlfriend, Angelique White, 40, a Hempstead school janitor, was🌜 involved in the ring.
Authorities closed in on the opera💃tion after a Sept. 15 call made by Jackson from p🔴rison.
𓂃They caught him reaching out to White and another associate, Darren Devane, 33, ordering them to “take possession” of 100 grams of fentanyl stored inside White’s apartmen♏t,” Singas said.
The drugs,🦹🦋 Singas said, were intended to be mixed in with other drugs, causing a potentially deadly concoction.
“This was not intended to be sold straight-up fentanyl,” Singas said. “This was going to be cut and recut and stepped on many times.”
“According to the DEA, two milligrams of fentanyl is fatal for most adults. This drug is so potent that just a tiny quantity can kill.”
Officials later seized the 100 grams from White during a traffic stop, and recovered 300꧃ more grams of pure fentanyl during a search of her apartment.
During the investigation, autho🌟rities also busted Brooklyn-based gun ring.
Three people, including Joseph R🅷obertson, an MTA employee, were arrested for trafficking and selling firearms in Hempstead.
The DA’s office worked with the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force and the ATF Long Island Firearms Taskforce to executive the busts.