LI Couple Accused Of Funding Lavish Lifestyle With Drug Sales: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY —A Long Island couple funded their lavish lifestyle complete with high-end cars, designer clothes, and luxury jewelry by running a major drug trafficking operation, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini’s office said.

The DA’s Heroin Task Force began an investigation into alleged drug dealing by Kobaski Claros, 31, and Maria Rivera, 24, of Ronkonkoma, back in March after law enforcement saw Claros selling drugs on a side street near Red Lobster on Express Drive South in Ronkonkoma, Sini’s office said.

During the probe, investigators discovered Claros and Rivera allegedly conducted a major drug trafficking operation “in Suffolk, predominantly in and around the Ronkonkoma area,” Sini's office said, adding that they sold crack cocaine and powder cocaine out of high-end vehicles, including a Land Rover and a Mercedes-Benz.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Claros and Rivera’s apartment, located on the 3400 block of Mill Road in Ronkonkoma, on Aug. 26, and recovered 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, $13,781 in cash, a kilo press, four digital scales, cutting agents, plastic bags, a heat sealer, a stun gun, and "a large quantity of luxury jewelry and accessories."

Claros and Rivera have been indicted and charged with operating as a major trafficker, and if convicted, face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Sini called the top count of operating as a major trafficker a “serious charge for serious drug traffickers.”

“They used the profits of their alleged drug trafficking operation to fund a lavish lifestyle, including high-end vehicles, designer clothing and shoes, and expensive jewelry,” he said. “This was a lucrative business for the pair, but it has been effectively shut down because of the great work of law enforcement.”

“My office is continuing to target drug dealers who are causing overdoses as well as major drug trafficking operations here in Suffolk County, and we will hold these individuals accountable,” he added.

Claros and Rivera are also charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and three counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Claros has also been charged with four counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and Rivera, two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Claros is being held on $1 million cash bail and is due back in court Oct. 18.

His attorney, George Duncan of Central Islip, was not immediately available for comment.

Rivera, who was arraigned on the indictment on Sept. 9, is being held on bail that has been set at $500,000 cash, $2 million bond, or $4 million partially-secured bond. She is due back in court Oct. 1.

Her attorney, Del Atwell of East Hampton, could not be reached for comment.

The Heroin Task Force comprises law enforcement officers from not only the DA’s office, but also the Sheriff’s office, Suffolk police, and the Northport Police Department.

Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said that with the major cocaine operation shut down and the arrest and indictment of Claros and Rivera, residents can “rest assured these callous defendants will no longer be roving around Ronkonkoma selling poison from their luxury cars paid for with drug money.”

“I want to thank the District Attorney and his staff, along with the county’s deputy sheriffs, police, and other members of law enforcement for their unyielding investigative work to put these people where they belong: behind bars,” he added.

Acting Police Commissioner Stuart Cameron said the arrests demonstrate the department’s “dedication to fighting the drug epidemic head-on, targeting criminals who are willing to risk the lives of Suffolk County residents by feeding their addictions.”

“I commend all involved in apprehending these drug traffickers and bringing them to justice,” he added.