Attorney General's Office
Drug Hotline Provides Police Tips
An upstate New York drug bust has netted nearly two dozen people from Rochester and Syracuse. Authorities say area drug dealers who haven't been caught should consider this bust a warning.
Police carried out the drug bust early Wednesday morning. They say they've broken up two separate drug rings based in both Syracuse and Rochester.
Of the 22 people arrested, eight live in the Rochester area.
The bust led police to seven pounds of cocaine and four pounds of marijuana. The drugs have a street value of more than
$300-thousand. Police also found $90-thousand in cash.
Police say the group based in Rochester used the thruway to get the drugs to Syracuse.
The following suspects were arraigned in Syracuse Wednesday:
Leonard Asper, 50, Bobby Brown, 32, Roosevelt Brown, 36, and Joanne Ruggirio, 35, all of Syracuse; Brian Dority, 41, of Ogdensburg; James Dorsey, 43, of Rochester; John Petty, 50, of Mexico (Oswego County); and David Robinson, 36, of Lyons.
Brown and Dorsey are each charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class "A" felony. If convicted they face a maximum sentence of life in state prison. Each of the other defendants charged in the Onondaga County indictment is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a class "B" felony. It carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in state prison.
In a second indictment unsealed Wednesday, the following defendants were arraigned:
Mary Jane Brownyard, 47, and Eric Young, 36, both of Rochester; Calvin Hughley, 39, Euguene Luteran, 54, and Joanne Ruggireo, 35, and Bradley Welch, 41, all of Syracuse; Aleyda Michel, 30, and Jimmie Reed, 38, both of Greece (Monroe County); Radames Meyreles, 36, of New York City;Alfonso Studymine, 32, North Chili; Remone Williams, 34, of Henrietta; and Robert Wilson, 35, of Addison.
Meyreles is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Michel, Reed, and Williams are each charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. These charges are class "A" felonies. The remaining defendants are charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree.
Under a separate felony complaint, Eric Odom, 37, of Syracuse was charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree.