Authorities seize thousands in fentanyl and ketamine
The Nassau County Police Department, in conjunction with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) and the Nassau County District Attorney, announced the seizure of assorted drug paraphernalia, thousands of dollars in cash, and both ketamine and fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often laced with heroin to augment its potency, resulting from an ongoing undercover operation over the course of the past few months.
In response to a non-fatal overdose approximately six months ago, authorities investigated a stamp known as “diesel” uncovered at the scene. Though it could not be matched in any criminal database, a simple Google search led them to a website, which the suspects, a father and son duo and a third party, had set up soliciting various drug packaging materials. Undercover cops first purchased boxes of glassine envelopes, typically used to package and distribute drugs including marijuana and heroin, before being offered drugs.
“We purchased our first box [of glassine envelopes]. After our second box, the individual offered us “cut”…and small spoons to actually spoon the heroin into the envelopes,” said Nassau Deputy Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. “After our third buy, he offered us ketamine, and for our last several buys we purchased five bottles of pure liquid fentanyl.”
They purchased $19,000 in ketamine and fentanyl in total before obtaining search warrants and conducting a raid on three storage warehouse facilities in Queens, where the three suspects, Hussein “Jay” Kaafarani, 50, of College Point; Ali Kaafarani, 28, of Woodside; and Mohamad Nehme, 33, of Astoria, were promptly arrested.
Hussein “Jay” Kaafarani, a non-U.S. citizen from Lebanon, was charged with criminal use of drug paraphernalia, while his son, a U.S. citizen, was charged with five counts of both second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and fourth- and fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, as well as second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Nehme, also a U.S. citizen of Lebanese descent, was charged with five counts of second- and third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. It is believed that Nehme procured ketamine from a dentist’s office he had been working at.
The three were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, May 18.
From the storage facility, authorities also seized 2.5 million glassine envelopes and $25,000 in cash. They are currently investigating a possible $600,000 more in bank accounts connected to the suspects.
It is believed that the trio acted as major suppliers along the entire East Coast, obtaining much of their supply from China.
The announcement of this bust comes less than two weeks after Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas stood in the Floral Park Police Department, commending New York State Senator Chuck Schumer for his commitment to fighting the spread of fentanyl through the proposed International Narcotics Trafficking Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act.
“Yet again here we are today with our law enforcement officers and we stand together to announce another major takedown,” said Singas. “Each of these enforcements puts a dent in these operations. Each of these makes these deadly drugs harder to get and each ensures that dealers and traffickers think twice before they bring this poison into our county. We are continuing our efforts to combat this epidemic on a multi-level, multi-pronged approach.”
Singas commended the outstanding work of those involved in the operation, including Ryder, the DEA and members of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau at the Nassau County district attorney’s office.
