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DRUGS AND WEAPONS BUST MADE AT A POPULAR NEW YORK CITY PARK IN QUEENS

James Ford
12 hours ago

JAMAICA, Queens (PIX11) — More than $1 million worth of cocaine, fentanyl,
ecstasy, opioids, other drugs, and guns have been seized after a
year-and-a-half-long investigation, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz
announced on Tuesday. 

Katz’s office and NYPD detectives worked together to arrest eight members of a
drugs and weapons ring behind the illegal sales. 


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Most of the drug and gun sales took place in Rufus King Park, prosecutors said,
a popular park in Queens frequented by children and families. 

Parents who spoke with PIX11 News said they were pleased to learn about the
takedown and welcomed more raids. 

“They don’t care about the safety of kids, none of that,” Dwayne Williams, a
father to a 7-month-old girl, said. “It’s all about the almighty dollar.”



The operation was big business for the people involved, Katz said, adding that
the men arrested had a fully operational supply and distribution scheme. 

Seven of the eight men are from two different families: the Fernandezes, and the
Escobars, according to Katz. 

“The ringleader, Adrian Escobar, faces 150 years in jail” if convicted, Katz
said. 

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Her office has charged Adrian Escobar with more than 70 criminal counts for
controlled substances, conspiracy, weapons possession and sales, and grand
larceny.  



Those charges, prosecutors said, stem from Escobar and the members of his group
processing drugs in their homes in Brooklyn, Nassau County, and Jamaica, Queens,
and then selling the illicit materials in Rufus King Park. 

The men also kept guns at home. Then they also started selling those in the
park, according to detectives.

The investigators’ leader, NYPD Deputy Chief Jerry O’Sullivan, said that one of
the nine guns seized, a .357 Magnum, was stolen, and stored in the studio
apartment, which at least four suspects shared.

“That long-barreled gun that’s there,” said O’Sullivan, referring to the
revolver, “That’s a high-powered weapon. [If] somebody accidentally pulled the
trigger, it would have gone into the apartment next door, possibly.”



The investigation involved wiretaps and a lot of undercover work by cops, Katz
said. The deputy chief added that their efforts are meant to keep residents
safe. 

Some residents, however, said that while they appreciated the takedown, they
were also somewhat skeptical. 

“Just because they made one bust right here, that don’t mean it’s gonna stop,”
said Ty Anthony, a Jamaica resident who spoke with PIX11 News.

“It can slow it down, but I don’t think it’s going to stop it,” said Alicia
Robinson, who lives near Rufus King Park.



Katz said that any time an investigation and raid are carried out, her office
sees a reduction in related crimes, at least for a time. She also stated her
office is engaged in an ongoing effort to keep criminal activity minimal.

“The more we do these investigations, and the more we take [drugs and guns] off
the street, the safer the streets are,” D.A. Katz said. “It doesn’t mean we
stop. We keep doing it day after day, time after time.”

Categories: Local News, News, Queens
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