Undercover investigators purchased over 400 bags of heroin
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports the arrest of two New York City residents on narcotics-related criminal charges stemming from their alleged involvement in the sales of heroin throughout Putnam County.
Members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit conducted a month-long investigation into the sales of heroin in the county. Investigation revealed that the narcotic was being brought into the county from sources in New York City. During this investigation, undercover deputies were able to infiltrate the illegal enterprise and successfully purchase heroin on five separate occasions from one suspect and one time from the other.
Additionally, investigators set up controlled deliveries where large amounts of heroin were delivered to locations in the county. The first controlled delivery netted more than half an ounce of heroin totaling 236 glassine bags of the drug. On four other occasions, 190 glassine bags of heroin were delivered.
On Jan. 2, members of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit arrested the two suspected dealers. They are identified as 29-year-old Tiquan Lewis and 25-year-old Donnell Norman.
Lewis was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree, five counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and four counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Norman was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
Both were originally arraigned before Carmel Town Justice Joseph Spofford, acting on behalf of the Putnam Valley Town Justice Court. They were remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail. A subsequent bail hearing was conducted in Putnam County Court. As a result, Norman’s bail was set at $500,000 — cash or bond. Lewis, however, was sent back to the correctional facility without bail.
“Heroin has become a major problem throughout our country,” said Smith. “We are asking for the public’s help in combating illegal drug use and trafficking in our county by calling the Narcotics Enforcement Unit Hotline, 845-225-DRUG, and providing us with any vital information. All calls are confidential,” he concluded.
The investigation is continuing; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
