Accusations Of Drug Trafficking In Ulster, Greene

SAUGERTIES, NY — An investigation that took more than a year and a half yielded illegal drug sales and possession charges for seven people from the mid-Hudson Valley and New Jersey. At a news conference Monday, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office said Russell J. Neglia, 25, of Saugerties, was accused of being the leader of a drug trafficking organization.

Authorities said Neglia and Roger W. Hummer II, 38, also of Saugerties, received cocaine from Michael A. Manor, 38, of Teaneck, New Jersey. Police said they redistributed it throughout Ulster and Greene counties.

Investigators said, in January 2019, they conducted thousands of hours of physical and electronic surveillance, used federal Title III wire interceptions on multiple phone lines, conducted numerous undercover buy operations, conducted intelligence based traffic stops to seize cocaine and marijuana and executed multiple search warrants in both Ulster and Greene counties.

Those searches resulted in the seizure of about 3 kilograms of cocaine, more than 140 pounds of marijuana, more than $68,000 in cash, multiple vehicles and real property assets, the sheriff's office said.

On March 2, multiple federal and local law enforcement executed three search warrants in the towns of Saugerties and Cairo.

During the search of Neglia's home, investigators said they recovered more than 900 grams of cocaine, 100 pounds of marijuana, drug packaging material, digital scales and more than $18,000 in cash. The search at Hummer's home yielded a loaded rifle, cocaine processing equipment, marijuana and more than $9,000 cash.

Police said a search of a home in Cairo resulted in the recovery of more than 7 pounds of marijuana, 1.5 pounds of wax hashish, 363 individually packaged THC vials, drug packaging materials, a commercial grade cash counting machine and more than $40,000 in cash.

On March 9, an additional kilogram of cocaine was seized from Manor during an intelligence-based traffic stop of a vehicle he was operating in the town of Ulster.

The following people were arrested and charged, police said:

Federal charges

• Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance – cocaine
• Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance – cocaine

• Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance – cocaine
• Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute – cocaine
• Felon in possession of a firearm

• Possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance – cocaine
• Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance – cocaine

State charges

• Two counts of third-dergee criminal possession of a controlled substance

• Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• First-degree criminal possession of marijuana

• Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• First-degree criminal possession of marijuana

• Second-degree criminal possession of marijuana

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated. Neglia and Manor have previously entered plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. The charges against Hummer and all others charged with state level offenses are still pending.

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