25 plead guilty in Capital Region drug trafficking ring

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The New York Attorney General's office announced 25 people have pleaded guilty for their roles in a major drug trafficking ring operating in the Capital Region. One defendant, Elvis Colon, was sentenced Monday to 12 1/2 to 15 years in prison.

The ring reportedly distributed fentanyl, heroin, and powder and crack cocaine in Albany, Dutchess, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties. The investigation also recovered four handguns, two large capacity ammunition devices and over $50,000 in cash, according to Attorney General's Office.

"We are committed to ending the opioid crisis in our state, and that means addressing this problem from every angle, including stopping dangerous drug traffickers who bring fentanyl into our communities," said Attorney General James. "This drug trafficking ring ran a widespread network to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of narcotics, and now they are being brought to justice. I thank all of our partners in this investigation for their hard work to protect our communities and keep New Yorkers safe."

In November 2023, the 25 people were charged with 164 crimes for their roles. The investigation which led to the indictment, included covert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps.

Colon, also known as Minino, was convicted by a jury on conspiracy in the second degree and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree on Oct. 4. All other defendants have pleaded guilty and face sentences ranging between two years and 20 years, depending on their involvement and charges.

According to the indictment, Alexander Torres and Yamillet Galarza were main figures in the distribution network. They reportedly partnered together to obtain and sell narcotics in Rensselaer County.

Another defendant, Efrain Acevado, was also named as a key distributor. Acevado opened a restaurant called "El Coqui" in Troy and reportedly sold narcotics to customers while using the restaurant to stash drugs and money.

Defendants and their charges:

• Efrain Acevedo pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class A-II felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison.
• Erick Baez pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Raul Baez pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Jose Cintron pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Javier Colon pleaded guilty to Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a class B felony and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A-I felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.
• Mercedes Danahy pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. She faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• James Foley pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Jack Frazier pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class D felony. He faces a maximum sentence of two and a half years in state prison.
• Jose Galarza pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Yamillet Galarza pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. She faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Vladimir Guzman Grullon pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• David Harden pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Mark House pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Karim Little pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Jordan McCullen pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison.
• Jahtiek Milisci pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Beau Moreau pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Michael Nelson pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Tracy Taylor pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. She faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Denzel Timot pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a class E felony. He faces a maximum sentence of nine years in state prison.
• Alexander Torres pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class A-II felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
• Israel Vasquez pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison.
• Abner Velasquez pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class A-II felony. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
• David Venson pleaded guilty to Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class C felony. He faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison

The multi-agency investigation was led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force. Agencies involved included the New York State Police, the City of Troy Police Department, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, the Schenectady Police Department, and the Schenectady Sheriff’s Office.