Hempstead Man Sentenced For Running Drug Ring: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A Hempstead man was sentenced on Tuesday to 22 years in prison for his role in operating a violent drug ring, prosecutors announced.

Darren Devane, a/k/a Buck, 37, was convicted after a jury delivered its verdict on Oct. 2. Devane was found guilty of charges that included multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy. He was acquitted of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and one count of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.

"Darren Devane and his narcotics trafficking ring funneled more than 400 grams of fentanyl into Hempstead – enough for 150,000 potentially fatal doses," Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take down these criminal operations and stop this poison from reaching our streets."

Along with the 22-year prison sentence, Devane was given five years of post-release supervision.

Beginning in April 2009, members of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Long Island Task Force, the FBI and the Nassau County D.A. began an investigation in a drug ring that operated on 100 Terrace Avenue in Hempstead, Donnelly said.

Devane was one of the ringleaders of an eight-person drug ring and business partner to Ricky Jackson, an inmate at FMC Devens Federal Prison in Massachusetts, the DA's office said.

On September 15, 2019, Devane arranged to pick up 100 grams of Fentanyl from Jackson’s girlfriend and sell it on his behalf. Investigators intercepted and seized the drugs. Additionally, they searched the woman's apartment and found another 300 grams of fentanyl.

In total, the 400 grams of seized fentanyl represents 150,000 potentially fatal overdoses, Donnelly said.

"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take down these criminal operations and stop this poison from reaching our streets," Donnelly said.