New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Mar. 26 the arrest and indictment of Azer Arslanouk, a resident of Ocean Township, New Jersey, for allegedly selling fentanyl and cocaine in Brooklyn. The indictment was unsealed in Kings County Court and charges Arslanouk with 31 crimes related to narcotics trafficking. Authorities said more than 8,887 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and over 891 grams of cocaine were seized during the investigation, with an estimated street value of $100,000.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address the opioid crisis in New York communities. The New York Attorney General operates as a public law enforcement and legal advocacy agency for New York, according to the official website. It also promotes social justice through civil rights enforcement and consumer advocacy.
“Drug traffickers who hide fentanyl in counterfeit prescription drugs are putting New Yorkers suffering from opioid addiction in grave danger,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation took thousands of deadly pills off the street, and my office will continue fighting to stop the opioid crisis in our communities. I thank our law enforcement partners for their collaboration as we work to keep New Yorkers safe from dangerous narcotics.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said: “The sale of these illegal drugs perpetuates a cycle of substance abuse and poses a significant threat to safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods. This arrest speaks volumes of the tremendous coordination between law enforcement partners to stop the individuals that fuel these dangerous acts. We will remain diligent in our collaborative efforts with Attorney General James and our law enforcement partners to stem the flow of illegal drugs from infiltrating our communities.”
Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge at DEA’s New York Enforcement Division, said: “Counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl continue to be a lethal threat to those unsuspecting users who think they are taking a legitimate pharmaceutical pill. This operation, which included the removal of over 8,500 fentanyl pills off our streets, undoubtedly saved lives. We will continue to work with Attorney General James and our law enforcement partners across New York state, as we push toward our goal for a fentanyl free America.”
According to investigators, Arslanouk stored narcotics at a storefront on Lake Street in Gravesend while using encrypted messaging apps for sales communications between December 2024 and January 2025.
Letitia James heads the New York Attorney General’s office according to its official website; her agency protects residents by ensuring public safety while defending civil rights according to its website. The office provides services such as consumer fraud investigations as well as charities oversight according to its official site, operating through regional offices across the state as reported by its website.
If convicted on all counts including criminal sale and possession charges along with conspiracy offenses (class A & B felonies), Arslanouk faces up to twenty years’ imprisonment; he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty at trial or by plea.
