Attorney General James Announces Arrest of Manhattan Fentanyl and Gun Trafficker
Attorney General James and New York State Police Indict Man who Allegedly Sold Deadly Fentanyl, Heroin, and Guns in Rockland County and Manhattan
Investigation Recovers Firearms and Over $140,000 Worth of Drugs
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a 94-count indictment charging Rafael Figueroa of Washington Heights, Manhattan with the sale of fentanyl, heroin, and firearms. The investigation conducted by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) seized more than 1.5 kilograms of fentanyl and over 75 grams of heroin worth approximately $142,000, three loaded handguns, a loaded assault rifle, and three high-capacity ammunition feeding devices.
“Drug and gun traffickers put New Yorkers in danger and my office will continue to prosecute those who flood our communities with deadly weapons and narcotics,” said Attorney General James. “This takedown successfully removed dangerous opioids and firearms from our streets. I want to thank our partners in law enforcement for their assistance throughout this investigation.”
Firearms recovered by the investigation
As alleged in the indictment, from August 2022 to January 2023, Rafael Figueroa engaged in 11 separate sales of drugs and four separate sales of firearms. The year-long investigation, which began with sales of fentanyl in New York County, spread to Rockland County and eventually included additional sales of heroin and firearms. The investigation included hundreds of hours of physical surveillance, covert cameras, and undercover operations.
The indictment, unsealed before a Rockland County Court, charged Figueroa with 94 crimes. These include various counts of A and B-Felony level Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, B, C, and D-Felony level firearms crimes, and Conspiracy to commit those crimes.
The charges against the defendant are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation was led by OCTF Detectives Zylona Silva and Luis Flores, under the supervision of OCTF Detective Supervisor Bradford Miller, OCTF Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez, and OCTF Deputy Chief Andrew Boss, along with investigators with the New York State Police (NYSP) Special Investigations Unit. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.
Attorney General James would also like to thank NYSP Troops K and F and the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General James Cudden, together with OCTF Legal Support Analyst Madeline Rosen, under the supervision of Downstate Deputy Bureau Chief Lauren Abinanti. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. The Division of Criminal Justice is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado.