18 Charged In Connection To Major Suffolk Drug Bust

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A total of 18 people were arrested on 22 charges in connection to a major western Suffolk drug ring busted last week, District Attorney Tim Sini said.

In December 2018, officials began an investigation into the alleged illegal trafficking of narcotics in the area using court-authorized eavesdropping, physical surveillance, and video surveillance.

The investigation revealed evidence that 37-year-0ld Daniel Ayala, of Babylon, along with his co-conspirators, was allegedly responsible for the trafficking of large amounts of narcotics into Suffolk, including crack, powder cocaine and heroin, the DA said.

The alleged drug distribution ring operated primarily in communities along the South Shore, from Babylon to Mastic, the DA said.

Ayala, along with 38-year-old Jason Brewton, of Patchogue; 43-year-old Jose Guzman, of Ronkonkoma; and 40-year-old Fennelly Olivares, of Babylon, were found to be alleged major traffickers of narcotics, the DA said.

"This is a unique case in that the entire network, including four major traffickers, were all operating within Suffolk County," Sini said. "We took dangerous drug dealers off the street who were selling dangerous drugs and in possession of dangerous weapons."

Ayala allegedly employed two people suffering from heroin addiction to act as quality control testers for the narcotics he intended on purchasing, providing them with samples of the heroin before purchasing large quantities for distribution, the DA

He also allegedly operated a drug mill on Plume Court in Bay Shore, where he and his associates would package the heroin and cocaine for resale, the DA said.

During the investigation, officials executed search warrants at one location on June 11 and five locations on June 13.

The search warrants resulted in the seizure of three and one-half kilograms of cocaine and heroin; seven illegal loaded firearms, three of which were defaced; a hydraulic kilo press; a total of $83,000 cash; and drug paraphernalia, including grinders, scales and packaging materials consistent with drug sales, according to the DA.

"When there are drug dealers, there are drugs and there are guns," Sini said. "This poses a threat not only to the general public, it poses a threat to law enforcement. Each time our detectives and police officers, especially the Police Department’s Emergency Service Section, kick down a door and execute a search warrant, they put their lives at risk."

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Ayala was charged with three counts of first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second degree conspiracy and three counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, the DA said.

Brewton was charged with first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second degree conspiracy and two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, the DA said.

Guzman was charged with first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second degree conspiracy, third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second degree criminal possession of a weapon, the DA said.

Olivares was charged with second degree conspiracy, the DA said.

In addition, according to the DA the follow people were arrested in connection to the drug ring:

• Anthony Alvarado, 35, of Brentwood, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Daniel Beaudrot, 35, of Lindenhurst, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Erin Blake, 27, of East Patchogue, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• William Bootz, 28, of Kings Park, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Shaina Eisenberg, 23, of Farmingdale, is charged with second degree conspiracy; two counts of third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; and two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
• Gerard Esposito, 30, of Bay Shore, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Justin Giese, 32, of Middle Island, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Jason Hornedo, 42, of Central Islip, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Henry Jackson, 53, of Central Islip, is charged with second degree conspiracy and three counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
• Joseph Martinez, 27, of Bay Shore, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Gary Morrow, 36, of Bay Shore, is charged with second degree conspiracy.
• Vincent Tappen, 39, of Deer Park, is charged with first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; second degree conspiracy and third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Two additional co-defendants will be arraigned at a later date.

The maximum sentence for first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance is up to 20 years in prison.