Tainted Heroin Kills 2; Harrison Cops Charge 6

Get Patch’s Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts

Six people have been arrested in connection with the deaths of two Harrison residents — one a dealer whom police believe knew the heroin he was selling could be deadly.

The Harrison Police Department launched an intensive narcotics investigation following the separate deaths of the two, who were aged 26 and 29. One was found dead June 23 and the other June 24.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the victims may have snorted or injected tainted heroin, which resulted in or contributed to their deaths, police said.

Heroin, a highly addictive opioid used recreationally for its euphoric effects, is commonly packaged in small glassine envelopes. The envelopes are usually marked with a unique stamp, indicating the “brand” or supplier.

Small amounts of heroin with the same identifying stamp were determined to be at both crime scenes.

On June 27, Harrison Police detectives concluded the investigation.

On June 24, Rachael Brissett, 17, of Harrison, and Alexandra Derose, 22, of Mamaroneck, were arrested for their role.

Brissett was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, for providing one of the victims with heroin, and she is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Derose was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail.

Harrison Police investigators subsequently developed a case against Jeffrey “Flee” McCaskill, a prominent Bronx dealer who police allege supplies drugs to local residents.

McCaskill, 27, of 1661 Topping Ave. Apt. 2C, Bronx, is believed to be the primary drug dealer involved with distributing the heroin which resulted in the two deaths.

On Sunday, investigators observed McCaskill in a gray Dodge Caravan allegedly conducting a drug transaction on Halstead Avenue. Harrison Police investigators apprehended McCaskill and three other Bronx residents in the vehicle: Diamond Samuels, 32, Deshaun Hardaway, 27, and Justice Sabina, 33.

Harrison Police investigators said they discovered heroin in the suspect’s vehicle packaged with the same unique stamp found with the two deceased victims, along with drug paraphernalia, cash and a heroin stamp. Intelligence information obtained by investigators reveal that McCaskill may have had prior knowledge that the batch of heroin he was selling was linked to prior deaths.

Harrison Police, with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant at McCaskill’s home in the Bronx and recovered drugs with a street value of approximately $10,000, drug paraphernalia, cash and forged U.S. currency.

McCaskill was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Hardaway was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree, a Class B felony, and is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.

Sabina was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, a Class B felony, and is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Samuels was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree with intent to sell, a Class B felony, and is being held at Westchester County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Harrison Police are continuing the investigation and are anticipating further charges and arrests.

Some of the suspects may be held responsible for the deaths of the two victims and could be charged at a later date.

Harrison Police Chief Anthony Marraccini said he will continue in the efforts to combat the heroin epidemic and will prosecute the drug dealers to the fullest extent of the law.

Legislation needs to be enacted to hold the drug dealers accountable for drug-related fatalities, the chief said. Currently, New York State laws do not specifically criminalize drug dealers if a user dies as a result of an overdose. Only federal statutes address this issue specifically.

Marraccini urges residents to contact the Harrison Police Department at 914-967- 5111 with any suspected drug activity in their neighborhoods to prevent any further tragedies from occurring. All calls are kept confidential.

PHOTOS/ Harrison Police

BEDFORD-KATONAH • BRONXVILLE-EASTCHESTER-TUCKAHOE • CHAPPAQUA-MOUNT KISCO •HARRISON• LARCHMONT-MAMARONECK • MID-HUDSON VALLEY • MOUNT VERNON • NANUET • NEW CITY •NEW ROCHELLE • NYACK-PIERMONT •OSSINING-CROTON-ON-HUDSON • PEARL RIVER •PEEKSKILL-CORTLANDT • PELHAM • PORT CHESTER•PLEASANTVILLE-BRIARCLIFF MANOR •RIVERTOWNS• RYE • SCARSDALE • SOUTHEAST-BREWSTER •TARRYTOWN-SLEEPY HOLLOW • WHITE PLAINS •YORKTOWN-SOMERS