By: Chris Munzing
Large amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana, worth approximately $50,000, as well as a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun reported stolen from South Carolina, $6,000 in cash, assorted drug paraphernalia and a Cadillac believed to have been used to transport some of the drugs were seized in the raids at 46 E. Market St. and 122 E. Fulton St.
"Our Narcotics Task Force is second to none," said Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Sofield Sr. "They will be relentless in combating the drug dealers in our neighborhoods."
Sofield explained that the investigation began after the department received numerous complaints and met with concerned North Park neighbors. "This was in response to the concerns of an entire community," Sofield said.
Detective Lt. Vincent Buscemi, commanding officer of the LBPD's Narcotics Task Force and commanding officer of the Detective Division, said that the operation was the result of a joint investigation between the LBPD and the Nassau County district attorney's Burglary and Narcotics Unit. Buscemi added that some of those arrested have known gang associations. The operation was undertaken in response to complaints about drug and gang activity in the North Park neighborhood, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.
Lamar Taylor, 24, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree possession of stolen property and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The controlled-substance charge is punishable by up to 15 years to life in prison.
Yusef Cruse, 32, was also charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and various drug and weapons offenses, as were Takisha Rainey, 28, and Elijah Deloach, 24.
Rance Smith, 28, was charged with two counts each of third-degree criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, and William Smith, 41, was charged with one count each of the same offenses. Smith and Taylor were also charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds, a class B felony punishable by up to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
All six were arraigned in Long Beach City Court by Judge Roy Tepper. With the exception of William Smith, who was held on $250,000 bond or $100,000 cash bail, the defendants were remanded to the Nassau County Correctional Facility. They are next scheduled to appear in Nassau County Court.
Four more individuals were arrested in connection with the investigation on Oct. 28. Johnnie Herron, 21, of Long Beach, was charged with one count each of third-degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds.
Tarence Wilson, 20, of Freeport, was charged with third-degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Kareem Nowell, 23, of Long Beach, was charged with one count each of third-degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds.
Teron Green, 22, of Long Beach, was charged with two counts each of third-degree criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal sale of a controlled substance on or near school grounds.
These four defendants were arraigned in Long Beach City Court by Judge Stanley Smolkin, and bail for each was set at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash.
Comments about this story? DMiller@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
