LATHAM, N.Y. —
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the takedown of a multi-state drug trafficking network at a press conference in Latham on Monday. The operation reportedly distributed several hundreds of pounds of drugs throughout New York State.
According to U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III, the 18-month-long investigation began in December 2023, when New York State Police searched a suspected stash house in Niskayuna and found drug paraphernalia and less than one gram of cocaine.
Over the course of the following months, authorities reportedly uncovered around 530 pounds of cocaine, 187 pounds of methamphetamine and 700 pounds of marijuana.
On June 12 specifically, authorities conducted searches of 24 locations across New York and in New Jersey, finding more than 550 pounds of cocaine and 10,000 fentanyl pills, the U.S. attorney said. The seized substances were stacked in large piles around Sarcone and the other law enforcement officials at the press conference.
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In total, more than 100,000 fake meth, fentanyl and xanax pills were uncovered throughout the investigation, as well as $1.2 million in bulk cash, according to DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino III. Seven vehicles and one 9mm firearm were also seized, said New York State Police Superintendent Steven James.
“These are big numbers — the street value of cocaine alone is above $15 million,” Sarcone said.
The drugs, which originated in California, were transported across the country in tractor-trailers and hidden in household appliances like freezers, Sarcone said. The substances then reportedly ended up in New York City, where they were held in stash houses in Long Island before being distributed upstate.
“The co-conspirators were highly sophisticated,” Sarcone said. “To make their activities possible and to rent the facilities they needed, they created fraudulent documents from shell companies that made them look as if they were legitimate businesses with legitimate income.”
The suspects also allegedly laundered their money through a fraudulent car dealership in New Jersey and a business that offered “consulting” in “organic dieting” and “exotic snake care,” according to Sarcone.
The U.S. attorney called the investigation the “largest takedown” in about 30 years and one of the largest conspiracies ever charged in the northern district of New York. He also took a shot at New York leaders for the fact that the drug trafficking network was able to operate within the state.
“This case demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to taking back our communities from the criminal organizations that have proliferated in recent years thanks to weak state laws and even weaker state legislators from New York City who would rather advocate for criminals rather than their law-abiding constituents,” Sarcone said. “We are cleaning up their mess.”
13 total people — four from the Capital Region — have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Two were also arrested in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Capital Region suspects
- Chaquill Foster, aka “Lo” and “Gucci,” 31, of Schenectady
- Jason Hogue, aka “Whispers,” 44, of Lake Placid
- Jocelyn Foster, aka “Jozzy,” 29, of Amsterdam
- Mikell Butler, 34, of Schenectady
Almost all of the suspects face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, if convicted.
The investigation involved a “close collaboration” between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Colonie, Niskayuna, Elmire, Schenectady, Gloversville, Johnstown and Amsterdam. Sheriff’s offices in Fulton and Montgomery counties were also involved.
