34 Indicted in Sullivan County Drug and Firearm Sting

The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced the unsealing of nine indictments charging a total of 34 defendants with committing various narcotics and firearms offenses in Sullivan County on Tuesday.

"With the coordinated narcotics and firearms charges brought today, we seek to neutralize at least four different drug rings that allegedly have been selling massive amounts of heroin and crack cocaine for years," Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said in the press release. "The devastating impact that this type of drug dealing can have on the small, rural communities like those in Sullivan County cannot be overstated. Heroin is back, with a vengeance, but so are we.  The law enforcement effort today is the product of remarkable cooperation among federal, state and local agencies and I thank all of our partners.”

One of the defendants, Darcy Copeland, allegedly distributed heroin to other dealers in exchange for firearms even though he has been in prison since July 2014. Other defendants were indicted for distributing cocaine, while still others were in possession of fire arms after having been convicted of a felony.

Members of the ring conspired to distribute crack and heroin in Monticello and other locations in Sullivan County, according to FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez said.

"We’re here today to let the good people of Sullivan County know their streets are safer, their families are safer, and we’re one step closer to eliminating the drugs and violence that threaten the future and stability of their community," Rodriguez said.

According to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, 32 of the 34 defendants are now in federal custody.