STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Authorities on Tuesday announced the takedown of 15 purported gang members and associates who allegedly peddled large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs on and around Jersey Street in New Brighton.
Launched in April 2021, the 15-month probe dubbed “D-Rail the Corridor” focused on areas where shootings and gang violence had been prevalent, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell in announcing the arrests.
Authorities said they zeroed in and monitored the defendants electronically and with other investigative tools.
The narcotics were allegedly dealt to undercover officers and other individuals.
Charged were Durail (Shooter) Miles, 30, who prosecutors said in court on Tuesday was a main target on the wiretaps, and Juan Laureano, 35, alleged to be Miles’ methamphetamine supplier.
Also busted were Azjaye Allen, 44; Sharif (Reef) Clark, 22; Hector Espinosa, 44; Wiley (Gator) Holman, 55; Glenn Howard, 52; Sefu Luthman; Steven Malloy, 51; Shann Murria, 55; Tavon Ryner, 19; Milton (B-Boy) Stilley, 37; Arthur (Pac Man) Williams, 35; Zaquon Williams and Nathaniel (Nate) Winfield, 33.
Luthman and Zaquon Williams’ ages were not immediately available.
All of the defendants live in New Brighton with a few exceptions. Clark resides in Tompkinsville; Ryner lives in Mariners Harbor, and Espinosa and Murria hail from the Bronx and Brooklyn, respectively.
The defendants were arraigned Tuesday in state Supreme Court, St. George, on varying counts of first-, second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, fourth-degree conspiracy and related charges.
Some defendants were charged with only one offense; others were accused of multiple crimes.
Each defendant pleaded not guilty through his lawyer. All but Miles, Laureano and Allen were released on their own recognizance or under supervision.
Justice Mario F. Mattei set bail for Miles at $500,000 bond or $350,000 cash.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Gamberg said Miles is accused of 25 sales, two of which are high-level crimes.
Investigators, he said, seized a “large quantity” of methamphetamine and over $10,000 in cash from Miles’ home.
Laureano’s bail was set at $300,000 bond or $150,000 cash.
A search of his home uncovered methamphetamine and “large sums of cash,” said Gamberg, who along with Assistant District Attorney Matthew Signorile is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michele Molfetta.
Allen is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond or $250,000 cash bail. The defendant has three felony convictions on his record, including one in federal court in 2010, said Gamberg.
He, too, is charged with several high-level drug sales, and had failed to appear in court on some of his prior cases, Gamberg said.
Outside court, Mark J. Fonte, Allen’s lawyer, said, “I’m awaiting information from the prosecutor which I need to review before commenting further.”
Said Mario F. Gallucci, the attorney for Luthman and Murria: “The district attorney can’t seem to go three months without rounding up people from Jersey Street. Today just happens to be Mr. Luthman and Mr. Murria’s turn.”
The defendants are all due back on court for conferences early next month.
In a statement, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon said: “This long-term investigation resulted in the dismantling of a drug-dealing enterprise responsible not only for peddling illegal drugs in our streets but also for spreading much of the violence we have seen in the New Brighton community.”
“My office and our partners in the NYPD will not allow hard-working Staten Islanders to be held hostage by violent gangs and drug dealers, and we remain more determined than ever to rid our communities of this scourge of drug dealing and street violence,” said McMahon.
He said the arrests and indictments “send a clear message that my office’s Narcotics-Investigation Bureau and the NYPD will work tirelessly to make our communities safer, and we will continue to relentlessly pursue drug dealers who destroy lives and terrorize neighborhoods.”
Said Sewell: “Today’s case takedown represents our continuing work to rid the city of illegal narcotics and keep our focus where it belongs: On crime victims.”
TARGETING ALLEGED DEALERS
Authorities said investigators targeted specific individuals dealing cocaine, oxycodone, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana on and around Jersey Street.
Investigators recovered a trove of illegal drugs throughout the course of the probe, said prosecutors.
Seized were over 40 grams of cocaine, more than 3,100 Ecstasy pills containing methamphetamine, over 100 grams of crack cocaine and more than 360 oxycodone pills, authorities said.
Three of the defendants were previously charged separately in connection with three firearms recovered during the investigation, said authorities.
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