Federal authorities Thursday raided a Bay Shore home that officials said was tied to a New York City drug bust that prompted five arrests and the seizure of $5 million worth of heroin.
Besides Long Island, the alleged drug trafficking ring was found to have ties to Washington Heights, the Bronx and upstate Sullivan County, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
“Sadly, an untimely death from a heroin overdose triggered this investigation, but as a result our collaborative efforts prevented more than a million bags of heroin from hitting the streets,” said Bridget Brennan, New York City’s special narcotics prosecutor.
Authorities identified the alleged ringleader as Orlando Rosario-Concepcion, who was arrested along with the four others rounded up following the eight-month investigation. They were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and other counts.
Twelve kilos of heroin was seized along with $115,000 in cash and two guns, the DEA said.
Investigators executing the search warrants said they caught Rosario-Concepcion and the others in the process of filling thousands of glassine envelopes, while other drug paraphernalia, such as scales, grinders and the drug in its loose powdered form was confiscated.
The house on LI was found to have $15,000 in cash, 5,000 glassine bags of heroin and a rifle.
