Originally Posted - July 19, 2006

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In a joint effort of the Attorney General's office and prosecutors from Onondaga, Oswego, Monroe, Lewis and Oneida Counties, narcotics trafficking charges have been filed against 104 defendants alleged to be figures in major drug distribution networks that stretch across New York State.

"This drug network had arms distributing cocaine, heroin, crack and ecstacy in communities across the region," Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said. "Thanks to remarkable cooperation by a number of agencies, we are dismantling a major source of drugs and crime in Central New York."

Six separate cases are being prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Task Force's (OCTF) initiative cracking down on the upstate flow of cocaine and other narcotics through New York City, and the gang violence that stems from distribution rings from Niagara Falls to Albany.

OCTF has attacked this problem through the aggressive use of sophisticated covert surveillance, including wiretaps, and bugs as part of a cooperative approach with local law enforcement. Since launching this effort, the Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) has charged over 900 defendants, seized more than 500 firearms, and taken over $100 million in illegal drugs off Upstate streets.

The cases announced today are centered in Cayuga, Lewis, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego counties:

Central New York

In Onondaga County, an investigation resulted in the indictment of Victor Manuel Batista Sanchez, 38, of Syracuse, and 20 others, charging them for their roles in obtaining multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine for distribution in Syracuse. Batista Sanchez has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, a class "A-I" felony.

A second investigation into alleged cocaine trafficking activity in Oswego, Cayuga and Westchester counties has resulted in the indictment of 17 individuals in Oswego County.

The third investigation focuses on alleged cocaine trafficking activity in Onondaga and Oswego counties and New York City. Dwight Absolom, 40, of Liverpool, Matthew Mastro, 33, of Volney, Jason Knopp, 29, of Martville and 13 other defendants are charged in an indictment in Onondaga County with obtaining cocaine in New York City and transporting it back to Oswego and Onondaga Counties for re-sale. Absolom and Mastro have both been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, a class "A-I" felony. Knopp has been charged with conspiracy in the second degree, a class "B" felony.

A fourth investigation involves the alleged trafficking of cocaine and ecstacy in Onondaga, Oswego and Cayuga counties, and has resulted in felony complaints being issued that charge 15 individuals with conspiracy and related drug offenses.

Greater Rochester

A fifth investigation is centered in Monroe County. Nine defendants have been indicted as part of a cocaine trafficking organization, including the alleged ring-leaders, Filipe Nobrega, 40, and his brothers Orlando, 42 and Rogerio 39, all of Rochester. The Nobregas are each charged with conspiracy in the second degree, a class "B" felony.

North Country / Mohawk Valley

In the sixth investigation, a Lewis County grand jury has returned three indictments charging 13 individuals for their participation in cocaine trafficking. Ken Lanzara, 35, has been charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree; Ben Damuth, 31, has been charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree; and Phillip Damuth, 56, has been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second degree, all class "A-II" felonies.

Attachments:
Onondaga Oswego Cases
Monroe County Cases
Lewis County Cases
7-19-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette