Seventeen people have been indicted in Central New York following an investigation into a large drug trafficking network that allegedly distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine across Onondaga, Oneida, Madison, Cortland, and Tompkins counties. The operation, led by the New York Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), resulted in the seizure of more than 23 pounds of fentanyl, nearly four pounds of cocaine, and over 12 pounds of methamphetamine. Authorities estimate the seized fentanyl alone is valued at over $625,000 and represents the OCTF’s largest single seizure of fentanyl powder to date. The investigation also recovered more than $880,000 in cash, three illegal firearms, and two vehicles used in the drug distribution.
Attorney General Letitia James stated, “Traffickers who flood our communities with fentanyl and other drugs are threatening the important progress New York has made in reducing overdoses and fighting the opioid crisis. Thanks to the hard work of this investigation and our law enforcement partners, we took more than five million deadly doses of fentanyl off our streets. I will continue to use every resource at my disposal to put an end to these destructive drug trafficking rings and keep New Yorkers safe from dangerous narcotics.”
Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said, “Law enforcement is never stronger than when we work as a team. I want to thank the Attorney General’s office, and all our law enforcement partners throughout the state, for always being willing to collaborate to make our communities safer.”
Chief Patrick Phelan, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, added, “The excellent cooperation between the Office of the Attorney General and local law enforcement has once again led to striking a significant blow to the criminals that put poison on our streets and cause the death of innocent New Yorkers. Everyone is safer when law enforcement works together.”
Onondaga County Sheriff Tobias Shelley commented, “This operation demonstrates the power of collaboration between local and state law enforcement in fighting the drug epidemic that is devastating our communities. Taking these dangerous drugs and weapons off the streets will save lives and make our neighborhoods safer. The individuals charged today were trafficking quantities of fentanyl capable of mass destruction, and their arrests send a clear message that we will not tolerate this. I want to thank Attorney General James and all of our partner agencies for their continued commitment to protecting Central New York.”
Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said, “I am grateful for the relentless work of all of the investigators and partner agencies from the Attorney General’s Office, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and several state, county, and local law enforcement agencies that were all part of this investigation. As a result of everyone’s work, 17 individuals involved in a major cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine trafficking ring that has been operating in the Central New York area are now off the streets and this criminal organization has been dismantled.”
Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood stated, “The Madison County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to enforcing the narcotics laws of New York State. Our Narcotics Investigators will continue to work hand in hand with our local, state and federal partners to ensure that drugs are being taken off the streets of Madison County and Central New York.”
The investigation took place from September 2024 through May 2025 and focused on a ring allegedly led by Jaquan Jones, also known as “Flame.” Jones is accused of obtaining large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine from Antonio Sanchez and others, then distributing them through a network of dealers. The group reportedly used codewords such as “soft” for cocaine, “fet” or “fetty” for fentanyl, and “ice” for methamphetamine. According to authorities, Jones is charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker, which carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
Law enforcement recovered 22 pounds of fentanyl and 12 ounces of cocaine from a garage linked to Jones in Syracuse. A search of an apartment rented by Sanchez in Onondaga County led to the discovery of fentanyl mixed with heroin and ketamine, along with drug paraphernalia. Another defendant, Joshua Stimpson, is also charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker. Stimpson and his partner Autumn Schneider allegedly distributed drugs throughout Oneida and Madison counties; their home yielded over five ounces of fentanyl, two ounces of cocaine, and five pounds of methamphetamine.
Additional searches uncovered weapons and further narcotics. For example, a search of Etiem Berrios’ home resulted in the seizure of an assault weapon, extended magazines, about half a pound of cocaine, half an ounce of methamphetamine, and hundreds of envelopes containing heroin and fentanyl. At Alexander Medina’s apartment, police found an illegal handgun, an assault weapon, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, and four ounces of cocaine.
The 17 individuals indicted face a total of 125 charges related to criminal sale and possession of controlled substances or conspiracy. The charges remain accusations until proven in court.
This action is part of the Attorney General’s Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (S.U.R.G.E.) Initiative. Since its launch in 2017, SURGE has led to over 1,000 alleged traffickers being removed from New York communities.
The case was led by OAG OCTF Detective Toby Lindfield and prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Hyatt. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies at the state, county, and local levels.
