NYC Man Trafficked Drugs From Caribbean To Long Island: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Bronx man formerly employed in the City of New York Mayor's Office of Management and Budget has been accused of running a mail-based drug pipeline that flooded the streets of Long Island with large quantities of cocaine – but his attorney says prosecutors have the wrong person.

In the last six months, Raymond Soto’s operation shipped more than 20 packages to Suffolk County, "many likely containing multiple kilograms of cocaine," with a retail value estimated to be over $2 million, prosecutors said.

Investigators' review of mail records found Soto had packages sent to various locations in and around the county, prosecutors said, adding that the probe found "soon after the packages were delivered," Soto would travel to Suffolk and pick them up himself.

Prosecutors allege Soto used a GMC Acadia "equipped with a sophisticated hidden storage compartment" as he transported the cocaine to his apartment, "where it was cut and processed for distribution."

Law enforcement executed multiple search warrants on Oct. 28 and seized a package sent from the Caribbean to Suffolk, said prosecutors, adding that laboratory testing later found the package contained a kilogram of cocaine.

Documents provided by the Suffolk District Attorney's office did not specify from where the drugs were shipped from. A spokeswoman for the DA's office could not confirm the location due to the "active investigation."

It's not clear where the drugs were shipped to.

Law enforcement also executed a warrant on the Acadia and found two additional kilograms of cocaine — estimated to have a street value of $240,000 and $300,000 — inside a hidden compartment, prosecutors said.

The search of Soto’s Bronx apartment found he had materials to begin repackaging his imported cocaine, according to prosecutors.

The investigation was a partnership between Homeland Security Investigations, the DA's office and Suffolk police.

DA Tierney alleged Soto "flooded the streets of Suffolk County with dangerous drugs."

"While he made calculated efforts to avoid detection, he was caught as a result of the tireless work of law enforcement,” he said. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of those who distribute these deadly drugs in our county.”

Soto has been charged with operating as a major drug trafficker, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and three counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

His attorney, Robert Macedonio of Central Islip, denied his client is shipping drugs from anywhere.

"Mr. Soto is not a major trafficker," he said. "Mr. Soto is not a drug dealer period."

Macedonio said that the findings of the long-term investigation by the DA's office will show that Soto is not the person shipping the drugs.

"He is not the one distributing the drugs," he said. "This is the only person they were able to arrest so they put it all on him."

Soto, 29, has been gainfully employed in the City of New York's Budget Management Office for the past six years, Macedonio said. Soto's Linkedin profile describes his position as that of a budget analyst.

A spokesperson for City Hall said Soto is no longer employed with the city.

It was not immediately clear when Soto's employment with with the city ended.

Prosecutors said Soto is a flight risk because of his strong ties to Puerto Rico, so they asked for high bail.

Soto was ordered held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility on $2.5 million cash bail, $5 million bond, or $50 million partially-secured bond. He was also ordered to surrender his passport.

If convicted of the top count of operating as a major drug trafficker, Soto faces life in prison.

This story will be updated. Check back later.