By The newspaper
May 30, 2024, 11:11 AM EDT
Thirty people were arrested in a drug and weapons raid in New York’s Orange County in what could be one of the largest anti-drug operations in that region’s history.
Many of the guns and drugs were sold from the “Real Spice” food truck in downtown Newburgh, authorities announced yesterday. “The food truck was operating right next to the city courthouse, 150 feet away, selling food, selling guns and selling cocaine,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said.
On May 21, dozens of weapons and kilos of cocaine and fentanyl were seized after an investigation that lasted six months. As part of that investigation, the food truck was also seized, reported ABCNews.
The food truck operated right next to the city courthouse, 150 feet away, selling food, guns and cocaine.”
Kirkland Salmon, 42, is the owner and operator of the food truck. He is one of 30 people facing a series of charges that could carry a sentence of 25 years. The complete list of those arrested, which includes several Hispanics, can be found here.
Police say the drug and gun trafficking ring had a sophisticated four-tier structure and that guns were supplied from North Carolina and drugs, primarily cocaine, came from Florida. Prosecutors say a barbershop served as a hideout for some of the profits. It is estimated that the illegal company earned more than $3 million dollars a year.
Nearly 40 different law enforcement agencies partnered in the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New York Police Department (NYPD), which had some of their undercover officers make purchases.
During the investigation, agents recovered 31 firearms, approximately 12.5 kilograms of cocaine, approximately 90 grams of fentanyl, high-capacity magazines, numerous rounds of ammunition, approximately $45,000 in cash, and scales and packaging, materials typically used in drug trafficking. narcotics, he said Times Herald-Record.
In a similar case, last week 21 people were arrested and accused in Staten Island (NYC) of being part of a complex drug trafficking, extortion and fraud operation that was apparently led by community and business leader Ettore Mazzei.
All charges are mere accusations and those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.