Police Release New Details on 'Massive Heroin Trafficking Operation'

Nassau County Police have released further details on a "massive heroin trafficking operation" that operated in several Nassau towns.

Seven men were arrested last week and were responsible for the distribution of a significant amount of heroin throughout Merrick, Massapequa, Seaford, and Wantagh in March and April, police said.

Police said the following items were  seized:

• 3,250 glassine envelopes of heroin – worth around $750,000
• Nearly 3 kilos of cocaine
• 20 kilos of a cutting agent containing Fentanyl (which is 50 times stronger than heroin and was linked to 19 deaths in 11 days in a New York county earlier this year)
• Xanax tablets
• Marijuana
• THC
• A kilo press
• Scales
• Packing material

Detectives from the NCPD's Narcotics and Vice Bureau along with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the District Attorney’s Office were involved in dismantling the drug ring.

The following people face charges:

• Brian E. Jones, 35, of Freeport, was arrested on April 20 at 5 p.m. and charged with operating as a major trafficker, four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

• Pedro Ramirez, 37, of the Bronx, was arrested on April 21 at 6:10 p.m. and charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

• Sean Arias, 28, of Merrick, was arrested on April 23 at 1:05 p.m. and charged with five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

• Jesse Arias, 37, of Long Beach, was arrested on April 23 at 11:25 a.m. and charged with conspiracy.

• Reynaldo A. Arias, 58, of Long Beach, was arrested on April 23 at 11:05 a.m. and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.

• William E. Johnson, 61, of Long Beach, was arrested on April 23 at 11:05 a.m. and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal facilitation.

• Robert G. Baumberger, 26, of Merrick, was arrested on April 22 at 8:20 p.m. and charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy.