Andre J. Ellington

By Andre J. Ellington

Night Reporter

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New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the takedown of two major drug trafficking organizations in Central New York. Speaking at a press conference in Syracuse, she stated that this move is one of many in an effort to combat crime and violence in Syracuse.

"Cracking down on illegal drug trafficking and violent crime has been a priority for our office since day one," said Attorney General James. "As Syracuse continues to experience record-high levels of violence, today, we make good on our commitment to protecting our communities by taking these dangerous guns and drugs off our streets. We will ensure that those responsible for endangering our communities are held accountable. I thank our law enforcement partners for their support in seeing this through."

As a result of the takedown, 78 people were charged with 355 crimes, and $2 million in drugs, including cocaine and heroin mixed with fentanyl, were recovered. Also, $490,000 in cash, 15 firearms and nine ghost guns were confiscated.

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Ben Walsh, mayor of Syracuse, thanked Attorney General James via Twitter for her heroic efforts.

"Thank you @NewYorkStateAG for your leadership, and thanks to @SyracusePolice and all our partner law enforcement agencies for your excellent police work. The streets of Syracuse are safer today because of it."

There are four indictments which came from Attorney General James office.

The first indictment involves the "Pupello Group." The leader of the organization, Michael Pupello, along with 25 other individuals are charged with 123 counts of selling narcotics in Onondaga — Madison, and Oswego counties.

The second indictment involves the "Flores Group." The leader of the organization, Hector Flores, aka "Pito," along with 50 other individuals are charged with 226 counts of selling narcotics in Onondaga, Oswego, Oneida, Cortland, Westchester, New York, and Bronx counties.

The third indictment involves Robert Miguel Lopez and Michael Elias Ventura-Montano. Lopez set up the delivery for three kilos of cocaine from Florida, to New York City, to Ventura-Montano. Ventura-Montano took the cocaine from New York to Syracuse and was stopped by investigators. The investigators found the three kilos of cocaine along with $31,000 in cash.

The fourth indictment involves Jesus Manuel Ruiz Lopez and Carlos Guzman. Lopez allegedly set up the delivery of numerous kilos of cocaine to be transported from Puerto Rico to Rochester. Guzman allegedly transported the cocaine to Onondaga County where investigators confiscated three kilograms of cocaine, $36,000 in cash, and a loaded .40 caliber handgun.

Those charged in Wednesday's four indictments include:

Newsweek has reached out to Attorney General James for further comment.

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