MJP –
NEW YORK (MJP) — Eight people were indicted for their roles in a drug and firearm trafficking operation that illegally sold fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and cocaine in Brooklyn, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Wednesday.
An investigation led to the recovery of more than 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing approximately two kilograms of a fentanyl mixture valued at $40,000, 1.3 kilograms of cocaine valued at $39,000, three firearms, and a high-capacity magazine, prosecutors said.
From October 2023 to June 2024, Jadin Ruth, 23, allegedly sold fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills, cocaine, and two firearms near his home at the Glenwood Houses in Brooklyn, according to court documents. Firearms and ammunition recovered during the investigation. Photo credit New York Attorney General’s Office
Shawn Wiltshire, 38, and Christopher McMillian, 20, allegedly supplied Ruth with pills that were made to look like white or pink 10-milligram oxycodone tablets, which Ruth referred to as “whites” and “pinks.” He allegedly arranged sales through phone calls and text messages.
Ruth often met Wiltshire at a bodega to pick up the counterfeit pills or to pay for pills he had previously received, according to prosecutors.
Ruth also allegedly bought large amounts of cocaine from Haashim McCorkle, 46, Huby Ramkissoon, 49, and Stanley Laureano, 38, who transported it from Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester, prosecutors said.
15 Charged in Extensive Drug Trafficking Operation Across Ohio
Intercepted calls and texts revealed that Ramkissoon and Laureano supplied the cocaine to McCorkle, who then sold it to Ruth.
In June, investigators seized 500 grams of cocaine from Laureano’s car in Westchester County, which he and Ramkissoon had allegedly transported from Queens to sell.
“Disguising fentanyl in fake prescription pills puts vulnerable New Yorkers who are already suffering through opioid addiction at even greater risk,” James said. “Taking deadly counterfeit pills, guns, and other narcotics off the street and dismantling the networks selling them will help save lives.”
New Mexico Prison Drug Network Dismantled Following FBI Investigation
The first indictment charges eight individuals involved with multiple crimes related to two separate conspiracies, according to prosecutors.
In the first conspiracy, Ruth, Wiltshire, McCorkle, Ramkissoon, McMillan, and Laureano are charged with narcotics trafficking offenses, including criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance.
All six defendants in the narcotics conspiracy face a charge of criminal sale of a controlled substance. If convicted, Ruth, Wiltshire, McMillan, McCorkle, and Ramkissoon could each face up to 20 years in prison, while Laureano could face up to 24 years.
In the second conspiracy, Ramkissoon and Henry Jones, 56, are charged with selling a loaded firearm with two high-capacity magazines to Shawn Hill, 54. Law enforcement intercepted the firearm and magazines, prosecutors said.
Ramkissoon and Jones are charged with criminal sale of a firearm and conspiracy.
A 156-count indictment charges eight individuals with multiple crimes related to drug trafficking and firearm possession across two conspiracies.
A second indictment also charges Haashim McCorkle with attempted assault, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon for his role in a March 2024 shooting in Brooklyn.
On March 22, McCorkle allegedly shot a victim in the leg in Canarsie. The victim was treated at a local hospital. Intercepted communications found McCorkle bragging about the shooting, claiming he could have shot the victim in the head or chest but chose to aim for the hip from two blocks away, prosecutors said.
If convicted McCorkle faces up to 15 years in prison.
