7 Arrested in ‘Operation Gram Slam’ Face Upgraded Charges

Seven people arrested in connection to one of Nassau County’s largest narcotics takedowns dubbed “Operation Gram Slam” now face upgraded charges following new evidence seized from the execution of search warrants, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said Friday.

Twenty-eight men and three women, who all live on Long Island and range from ages 21 to 46, were arrested last month in connection to a drug ring following a nine-month long investigation.

Jaymes Buckley, 36, of Amityville, and Michael Price, of Hempstead, were additionally charged with two counts of operating as a major trafficker following the search warrants.

The DA says five others also face facing various upgraded drugs and/or weapons charges:

• David Ramis, 38, of Uniondale
• Dwayne Yearwood, 36, of Uniondale
• Gregory Franks, 35, of Hempstead
• Ronald Gilbert, 46, of Hempstead
• Yuhura McCray, 36, of Elmont

“These upgraded charges show that we will continue to track down, arrest, and aggressively prosecute anyone who traffics and sells heroin or cocaine on Long Island,” Singas said in a press release.

The DA says the following items were seized from the search warrants:

• July 14: More than 700 grams of cocaine from Buckley’s home and vehicle, as well as two assault rifles and two pistols from the home he shared with his children, the DA said.
• July 14 or 15: More than 345 grams of cocaine, 200 grams of heroin, 120 grams of ketamine and more than $100,000 in cash were recovered from Price’s home.
• July 14: More than one kilogram of cocaine was seized from Ramis' home. The DA says Ramis supplied the others with drugs in the network.

Buckley and Price join Ramis, Gilbert and three other men who were charged with operating as a major traffickers during the initial bust:

• Terrance Hoyes, 29, of Hempstead
• Lonnie McKithen, 35, of Hempstead
• Shamiek Porter, 24, of Hempstead

Operating as a major trafficker is a class A felony that carries a prison sentence of 15 years to life, the DA said.

Additional details on “Operation Gram Slam” can be found here.

Buckley was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, eight counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, four counts of criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child.

Price was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Ramis was additionally charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.