Attorney General James Announces Arrest of Hudson Valley Cocaine Trafficker
David Herring Allegedly Trafficked Cocaine Across Westchester, Rockland, and Orange Counties
AG’s Investigation Recovered More Than Two Kilograms of Cocaine in Hidden Compartment of Herring’s Vehicle
NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest of David A. Herring, III, 49, of Newburgh, for trafficking cocaine across the Hudson Valley. An investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York State Police (NYSP) found that Herring was transporting cocaine from Westchester County through Rockland County to Orange County for likely redistribution. The investigation seized more than two kilograms of cocaine with an approximate street value of $60,000 from a hidden compartment in Herring’s vehicle during a traffic stop in October 2025. Herring was arrested and arraigned today in Rockland County Court before Judge Kevin Russo.
“My office will always stand up to protect New Yorkers from drug trafficking operations that flood our communities with dangerous narcotics,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation seized tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine and shut down a trafficking operation in the Hudson Valley. I thank my partners in law enforcement for their collaboration and continued commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.”
“Today’s arrest speaks volumes to the interagency coordination and cooperation dedicated to getting drugs off the streets of New York,” said New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James. “Through extensive collaboration, a dangerous cocaine operation has been dismantled that spanned across multiple counties in the Hudson Valley. Not only did this interception save lives, but it also put an end to the violence that is often associated with drug trafficking. I applaud our members and partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their outstanding work on this case.”
“Drug trafficking operations do not recognize municipal or county boundaries, and neither can the law enforcement efforts aimed at dismantling them,” said Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza. “Complex investigations like this require patience, precision, and an extraordinary level of skill and coordination. The successful outcome of this operation is a testament to the expertise and determination of the investigators involved. I commend the New York State Attorney General’s Office, the New York State Police, and our Yonkers Police Detectives for their exceptional work and continued commitment to protecting our communities.”
The investigation began in March 2025 and included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance and review of phone records and law enforcement databases. The seven-month investigation culminated in October 2025, when NYSP Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) members intercepted Herring in Rockland County as he was returning to Orange County with cocaine he transported from Westchester County.
On October 30, 2025, following a surveillance operation in Westchester County, NYSP stopped Herring in his Subaru Outback in Ramapo, Rockland County. A NYSP K-9 alerted its handler to an odor of narcotics emanating from the vehicle, and a subsequent vehicle search revealed a hidden compartment in the trunk of the vehicle. Members of the NYSP gained access to the hidden compartment and located and seized two kilograms of cocaine and a bag of cocaine adulterant.
Hidden compartment in Herring’s vehicle
Cocaine recovered from the investigation
The three-count indictment unsealed today in Rockland County Court charges Herring with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (a class A-I felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a class B felony), and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (a class A misdemeanor).
The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Today’s takedown was the result of a joint investigation led by OCTF and NYSP Troop F Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET). Attorney General James thanks NYSP Troop F’s CSU, the Town of New Windsor Police Department, and the Yonkers City Police Department for their assistance throughout the investigation.
The investigation was led by NYSP Senior Investigator Dominick Vitale, under the supervision of Lieutenant Michael Corletta, and OCTF Detective David Walsh, under the supervision of Detective Supervisor Bradford Miller, Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez, and Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. Special assistance was provided by OAG’s Special Operations Unit, which is a part of the Investigations Bureau. The OAG’s Investigations Bureau is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes.
The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Scott Johnson, with the assistance of OCTF Legal Support Analyst Gianna Morano, under the supervision of Downstate OCTF Deputy Chief Lauren Abinanti. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. Both OCTF and the Investigations Bureau are part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux.