(Photo: iStock)
May 24, 2018 By Tara Law
Nine gang members, who live in Jackson Heights and surrounding neighborhoods, were among 18 people arrested on drugs and weapons charges yesterday–following an early morning raid Wednesday, according to the Queens District Attorney.
Cocaine, heroin, a machete, loaded guns and $80,000 in cash were among the items seized by law enforcement yesterday. The raids were the result of a long-term gang and drugs investigation by the NYPD’s Queens Gang Unit and the DA’s Narcotics Investigations Bureau.
The defendants are believed to be members of the 97th Street Trintarios and #Hot97Boys gangs, which primarily operate in Jackson Heights and Corona, according to the District Attorney’s office.
The defendants sold undercover investigators drugs such as cocaine and heroin 35 times between Aug. 2016 and May 2018, according to the criminal complaints. They also sold the investigators guns on three occasions.
“These arrests should serve as a warning to drug dealers and gang members who operate in New York City that law enforcement is coming for you,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “We will continue to aggressively track down those who flood our community with illegal drugs and guns and put them behind bars.”
Brown identified the primary defendants as Oscar “Diddy” Urena, 35, of Jackson Heights; Jesus “Junior” Mota, 34, of College Point; and Dionis “Moz” Fernandez, 23, of Whitestone.
Another man, Joseph “Jay” Payamps, 23, of Corona, was also arrested after police searched his apartment yesterday. The police seized $62,337 cash from his apartment, as well as 240 grams of cocaine, scales, packaging and kilo presses.
Investigators tapped a call between Urena and a man who was later arrested on June 20, 2017. The man told Urena, “I want a hard one and two rices,” to which Urena said, “OK, two and one.”
The two men were spotted by investigators a few minutes later making a hand-to-hand exchange. The detective seized a plastic bag containing a rock of crack cocaine and two bags of powder cocaine.
A detective also managed to buy an illegal gun from Urena on April 28, 2017. The detective met with Urena and bought a black Jimenez Arms 9mm semi-automatic firearm and 11 rounds of ammunition for $940, as well as a bag of marijuana.
Brown said that there were many incidents where undercover detectives made similar purchases from defendants such as Fernandez and Mota.
Urena and Fernandez face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. They face first, second and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance charges; first, second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and other charges.
Mota faces up to 14 years in prison for second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Payamps faces up to 20 years in prison for first and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana and other crimes.
The police also released the names of 10 other defendants, including Leslie Julbe of College Point, 39, who faces up to nine years in prison for third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
Daniel D. Cepeda of Jackson Heights, 40, faces up to 20 years in prison for first and second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Raymond “Delivery” Ferreira of College Point, 19, faces up to nine years in prison for third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
Abel “Flaco” Diaz of Corona, 27, faces up to four years in prison for first-degree criminal contempt, third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment.
Jacinto Cabral of Corona, 41, faces up to 17 years in prison for second and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Rafael Castillo 50, and Damaris Castillo, 42, both of East Elmhurst, face up to nine years in prison for third and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and other crimes.
Daniella Zamoria of Whitestone, 24, faces up to nine years in prison for second, third and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana and other crimes.
Eva Ferreira of College Point, 26, faces up to nine years in prison for second, third and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of marijuana and other crimes.
Randy Fernandez of East Elmhurst, 24, faces up to nine years in prison for third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of marijuana and other crimes.
Eight other individuals have been arrested and charged in connection to the investigation, including three who pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to jail time or are participating in Queens Treatment Court, where defendants receive drug treatment.
NYPD (Seized from Raid)
