3 Killed In 1 Day From Passaic Co. Man's Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine Conspiracy: Feds

WEST MILFORD, NJ — A Passaic County man oversaw the deliveries of fentanyl-laced cocaine that killed three people in one day in Manhattan, federal authorities announced Tuesday. Billy Ortega, of West Milford, was the central contact for two drug couriers, who also face charges, according to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

Ortega, Kaylen Rainey, of Manhattan, and William Drayton, of Hackensack, were charged Tuesday with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Ortega and Rainey were also charged with causing three deaths connected to the conspiracy, which carries a sentence of 20 years to life in prison if convicted.

Authorities identified the deceased victims as Julia Ghahramani, Ross Mtangi, and Amanda Scher.

"Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the defendants’ deadly delivery service is out of business," said Williams, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

From 2020-21, the trio operated a drug-delivery service in the New York City area, according to the complaint. Ortega was the central contact who, like a dispatcher, coordinated deliveries with his couriers and customers, according to authorities.

Ortega dispatched Rainey to deliver fentanyl-laced cocaine March 17 to three separate Manhattan locations, the complaint says. All three victims died after consuming the drugs, authorities said.

Drayton, another courier, delivered drugs to Ghahramani and others several times, according to the complaint.

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