16 Gang Members Flooded Long Beach With Drugs: Feds

LONG BEACH, NY - Sixteen gang members were indicted on drug charges on Thursday stemming from a drug ring that flooded Long Beach streets with narcotics, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The arrests were made after a two-year investigation, authorized by City Manager Jack Schnirman, during which law enforcement identified the "most prolific narcotics traffickers" in the Long Beach area, including numerous members and associates of the Latin Kings street gang, authorities said.

"It is critical that we stop the drugs affecting our communities at their source, and that’s why I’m so proud that our police force, led by Commissioner Tangney has been so extremely successful today," Schnirman said. "We are thrilled with how effectively the Long Beach force coordinated this effort with various other agencies, and how our department has continued to enhance its community policing efforts.”

Court-authorization was then obtained to intercept telephone communications between the group, all of whom were intercepted on multiple occasions engaging in narcotics trafficking activities, authorities said.

The drug ring involved over 50 kilograms of cocaine, five kilograms of crack cocaine, two kilograms of molly, and 500 pounds of marijuana, officials said.

"We refuse to tolerate illegal drugs, gangs, and violence in our communities, and this dramatic, sweeping action reflects our aggressive commitment to protecting everyone in our community," Long Beach City Councilman Scott J. Mandel said.

All sixteen of those arrested were charged with four narcotics trafficking conspiracies, including conspiracies to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine), ethylone (molly), and marijuana.

“This indictment should serve as notice to all gang members - we will not tolerate the flooding of our streets with illegal drugs," United States Attorney Robert L. Capers said. "We are committed to rooting out all drug trafficking and gang activity on Long Island."

The following people were arrested Thursday:

• Jose Giovanny Amparo, 46, of Bronx
• Amanda Andujar, 26, of Baldwin
• Roxanne Andujar, 36, of Baldwin
• Jordan Ayala, 20 of Long Beach
• Fernando Cerda, 38, of Long Beach
• Tysaun Cobb, 24, of Hempstead
• Arthur Collins, 38, of Island Park
• Travis Curry, 37, of Long Beach
• Sean Diggs, 28, of Long Beach
• Nelson Fernandez, 35, of Long Beach
• Frank Labella, 35, of Oceanside
• Daniel Ojedis, 37, of Baldwin
• Anthony Ramirez, 29, of Hempstead
• Ronald Rupay, 35, of Long Beach
• Gregory Vanroten, 38, of Baldwin
• Sly Wilson, 30, of Long Beach

"When criminal operatives and gangs bring in illegal drugs into our neighborhoods, they also bring violence, turf wars and other criminal activity," FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez said. "The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle gang activity and keep our communities safe."

If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Amparo, A. Andujar, R. Andujar, Cerda, Cobb, Curry, Diggs, Fernandez, Ojedis, Ramirez, and Rupay face a maximum of life imprisonment.

Ayala, Collins, Vanroten, and Wilson face a maximum of 40 years in prison, and Labella faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

"Removing these dangerous individuals from our streets makes this community that much safer," LBPD Commissioner Michael Tangney said.