HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A SiriusXM DJ known as "DJ Love Dinero" and a U.S. postal worker were indicted for a $1 million drug trafficking scheme that stretched from California to New York, Nassau County prosecutors said Thursday.
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Investigators found out about the trafficking scheme after search warrants were executed in March 2021 as part of an investigation called "Operation Honeycomb" that led to the indictments of 40 people for allegedly distributing drugs in the Hempstead area, including nine charged as major traffickers.
Eventually, authorities learned that pounds of cocaine and fentanyl originating in Southern California were being sent through the United States Postal Service to addresses in New York.
The packages bound for Nassau County were sent to addresses along the route of 31-year-old USPS mail carrier, Adrianna Lewis, in Hempstead, said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.
Disc jockey Lance Holmes, 40, met up with Lewis at various points along her route to allegedly transfer the narcotics, and Lewis was allegedly paid $500 for every successful delivery.
The packages, all of equal weight, were shipped via priority mail, in medium flat rate postal boxes, and originated from shipping stores in California, the DA's office said. The people at the Hempstead addresses were not involved in this alleged trafficking scheme.
Several packages destined for Hempstead and surrounding areas were intercepted from the mail-stream and K9 units from the Nassau County Police Department and New York State Police conducted sniff tests with the dogs, who returned positive alerts for narcotics.
In a bold move, prosecutors allege Lewis, of Rockville Centre, allegedly contacted the postal office on June 7 to inquire about a parcel that was destined for a Manhattan address. The package containing two kilograms of cocaine was intercepted prior to his receiving it.
In total, 10 kilograms of cocaine, around 22 pounds, and one kilogram of fentanyl, around two pounds, were seized during the investigation.
"Dismantling the narcotics trade is difficult and dangerous work, and I thank our numerous partners for helping end the flood of illegal drugs into our county," Donnelly said in a statement.
Holmes pleaded not guilty Wednesday to acting as major drug trafficker, two counts of first-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as second- and fourth-degree conspiracy. If convicted of the top charge he faces a potential maximum of 25 years to life in prison.
Lewis faces two counts of attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, and second- and fourth-degree criminal facilitation. She also pleaded not guilty and faces a potential maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
A source at SiriusXM told 1010WINS on Friday that Holmes, "who was a part-time independent contractor," "was suspended effective immediately."
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