NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the takedown of a major narcotics trafficking ring that flooded communities in the Finger Lakes with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and other dangerous drugs. The takedown resulted in 177 charges against 48 defendants related to their participation in this trafficking network that operated in Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates counties. This operation resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of fentanyl and more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, with a total value of more than $9 million. Investigators also seized 19 firearms, including assault weapons and ghost guns, and more than $440,000 in cash.

“Our communities are being ravaged by fentanyl, opioids, and other dangerous drugs, and this organized crime group was fueling the fire,” said Attorney General James. “The dozens of individuals arrested and charged as a result of this investigation were flooding local communities with drugs, and were armed with deadly weapons to support their illegal activities. This major takedown was only possible because of my office’s strong connection with local law enforcement, and I thank my colleagues for their partnership. I will always use the great powers of my office to help support local communities as we all work to build a safer New York.”

The two-year investigation was led by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and brought together the resources of more than a dozen state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wayne County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigation included hundreds of hours of covert surveillance and wiretaps and originated in Wayne County.

Phase One: Wayne County
As alleged in the indictment, the investigation began in Wayne County and identified three interconnected groups that were responsible for selling drugs in Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates counties. The first phase focused on traffickers based in Wayne County and was centered around Michael Danzey and his brother, Terrance Raggs. Danzey and Raggs were the primary sources of cocaine for this operation and distributed to a network of customers throughout Wayne County.

During the investigation, investigators also uncovered that in June 2021, Danzey attempted to murder an individual that he believed was stealing from him. The individual sustained multiple serious injuries as a result of the shooting, but ultimately survived. In the aftermath of the shooting, Danzey asked his brother, Raggs, to conceal evidence from law enforcement. In addition to charges related to drug trafficking, Danzey is also being charged with attempted murder in the second degree and Raggs is being charged with hindering prosecution in the second degree.

Aaron Sweeney and Ryan Faniel were two other central figures who sold cocaine and oxycodone in Wayne, Monroe, and Ontario counties. As the investigation developed, it was further revealed that Sweeney was also sourcing drugs from individuals in Rochester.

Phase Two: Avenue D, Rochester
Investigators learned that Sweeney obtained cocaine from Raquel Torres a/k/a “Ma,” of 236 Avenue D, Rochester, New York, leading to the discovery of distributors and resellers living within the 200 block of Avenue D. In addition to Torres, investigators learned that multiple drug resellers were living within a few blocks of each other on Avenue D including Alexis Broida a/k/a “Lexi,” Jacquinn Edwards, Jasmine Ofray, and Raymond Vega. This single block in the city of Rochester was a major trafficking hub that distributed these dangerous drugs throughout the region. Buyers would be directed to different houses on Avenue D to pick up their drugs, including houses referred to as the “Green House,” the “Blue House,” the “Yellow House,” and the “Camper” based upon their exterior appearance. These distribution houses were all run by Vega.

Phase Three: The Rivera Family
The investigative team learned that many of the Avenue D narcotics sellers had a single source for their cocaine supply, Luis Rivera. This information led to the third phase of the investigation, and through intercepted communications and other evidence, investigators established that Luis Rivera and his sons, Luis Emmanuel a/k/a “Manny” Rivera, Natan a/k/a/ “Nate” Rivera, and Jacob a/k/a “J” Rivera, along with their associates, were operating a multi-kilogram level fentanyl and cocaine distribution network. The Riveras managed their operation out of a residential building in Rochester where Luis was the superintendent and where his son Manny lived. Luis and J Rivera arranged large shipments of fentanyl from California to Rochester, and several of these shipments were intercepted by investigators. J Rivera, who was serving time in federal prison in Louisiana at the time, smuggled contraband cellphones into prison to manage these shipments and the overall drug trafficking operation. The Riveras also sold fentanyl in pill form, claiming that it was oxycodone, putting their buyers at even greater risk.

Luis and J Rivera have been charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

They also created a limited liability company (LLC) to launder money from their drug operation to purchase investment properties. Luis, J, and Manny have also been charged with Money Laundering in the Second Degree.

“I would like to thank Attorney General James for her partnership and support throughout this investigation, as well as all of our law enforcement partners who assisted with this case,” said Wayne County Sheriff Rob Milby. “Three years ago, the roots of this investigation delved into the sources of illicit narcotics in Wayne County and quickly led to other areas of the Finger Lakes Region. As a result of our collective work, we will prevent the overdose deaths that we have been seeing so much of, and hold accountable those who have been on law enforcement’s radar and are responsible for harming our communities with dangerous drugs. In addition to the arrests and seizures of illegal weapons, drugs, and proceeds through this investigation, the quality of life in Western New York has also just improved tremendously.”

“I would like to thank and give credit to the Attorney General’s office for their hard work in this matter,” said Wayne County District Attorney Mike Calarco. “Through the combined offices of the New York Attorney General and the Wayne County District Attorney’s office we have been able to make Wayne County safer. It is a testament of what can be accomplished when multiple law enforcement agencies partner and work together.”

“The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have partnered with our state and local partners in this extensive investigation involving sales of illicit drugs,” said Ontario County Sheriff David J. Cirencione. “All members of law enforcement across this region are united in working to rid our neighborhoods of these drugs that poison our communities. Those apprehended in this operation today and any others involved in the distribution of narcotics had better take notice that we are watching. We will continue to pool our resources in pursuing you until you and your illegal drugs are off of our streets.”