Four Arrested, More Than 200 Grams of Cocaine Seized Amid Long Island Drug Crackdown: Police

Authorities in Suffolk County carried out search warrants in Huntington Station, Bellport, and West Babylon, according to police

Four people were arrested as authorities seized drugs, weapons and cash amid an ongoing war on street level drug dealers in Long Island, police announced Friday.

Authorities in Suffolk County carried out search warrants in Huntington Station, Bellport, and West Babylon, the latest raids in a crackdown that has yielded nearly 150 arrests, according to police.

Authorities seized approximately 110 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, various drug packaging material, a cell phone and more than $3,500 in cash at a home on West 21st Street in Huntington Station Friday morning, police said. Two brothers who live at the residence were charged.

Israel Perez, 23, was charged with second degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, two counts of third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, police said. Gilmar Perez, 25, was charged with third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Their attorney information wasn’t immediately available.

A search at another home on Lowndes Avenue in Huntington Station Friday morning yielded approximately 3 grams of cocaine, a digital scale, drug packaging material, four cell phones and $139 in cash, police said.

Ivan Oscar Martinez, 34, who lives at the location, was charged with second degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, third degree criminal sale controlled substance, two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in or near school grounds, fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Martinez's attorney information wasn't immediately available.

Authorities said they also seized three grams of crack, drug packaging, $134 in cash, two scales, one phone and a pellet gun a home on Michigan Avenue in Bellport Friday morning.

Gregory Jackson, 29, who lives at the location, was charged with third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and two counts of second degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia. His attorney information wasn’t immediately available.

On Thursday, authorities executed a search warrant in West Babylon at 709 Herzel Boulevard, according to the release. Approximately 90 grams of cocaine, a scale, six cellphones and $235 in cash were recovered.

Benjamin Lugo, 30, who lives at the address, is charged with two counts of third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia, according to the release. Lugo’s attorney information wasn’t immediately available.

Lugo was set to be arraigned at First District Count in Central Islip Friday, according to the release. The other men arrested will be held overnight for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip Saturday, April 30.

Since last December, 149 people have been arrested as 67 search warrants were executed in the crackdown on Long Island drug dealers, according to police. Since the police drug tip line was started, 239 tips have been phoned in to authorities.

Authorities say the public is helping point investigators to the places where drugs are being sold.

"It takes guns and drugs off the street and it sends a message to the community that we're not going to tolerate drug dealing in our residential areas," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini said.

"It's about the kids," said Jennifer Buqicchio, of West Babylon. "When it's about the kids it's different. I'd take a risk for a child."

Sini added that the raids are meant to discourage people from committing drug crimes.

"Our message is simple: if you're dealing drugs in Suffolk County, the Suffolk County Police Department is coming for you," Sini said.

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