Police nab 19 in drug busts

Drugs valued at more than $1.7 million were seized and 19 people arrested in one of the largest regional drug busts in recent memory, state and local authorities announced Wednesday.

The police operation targeted two distinct organizations, one based in Schenectady County, the other in Albany County, but sharing New York City suppliers, authorities said.

It was the latest effort to shut down organizations piping drugs to the region from downstate, following a series of indictments last month that charged 24 people.

“This is a very powerful statement,” state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference. “We’re working together, we’re working effectively together and we will catch you and convict you.”

The case was worked by the state police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, with local departments in Schenectady, Albany, Watervliet and elsewhere. It is being prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force.

Walter Smiley, 35, of Broadway, Rotterdam, is accused of heading the operation. The Schenectady operation also extended into Montgomery County, supplying drugs there, authorities said.

Smiley was first arrested April 11 after a police raid on his home, located just outside the Schenectady city limits. Smiley faces 14 counts in two separate indictments, including top-level drug possession and sale counts.

Authorities simultaneously raided the Albany residence of Jawon DiCarlo, 28, of Pinehurst Avenue. DiCarlo allegedly ran the Albany operation.

The investigation began about five months ago with information gathered by the Watervliet police about prescription drug sales there, state police Lt. Michael Tietz said. From there, CNET got involved, making more street level buys. With more information came a wiretap warrant.

Beginning in February, authorities began listening in on conversations. Almost immediately they began hearing deals to send multiple kilograms of cocaine up the Thruway and into Schenectady.

At one point in early February, Dillan Francis, 40, of the Bronx, an alleged marijuana distributor, believed he spotted police surveillance on a trip to Schenectady, turned around and left. He had expected to meet with Smiley and others, according to the indictments.

Alhough they allegedly used coded words in their telephone conversations, the suspects apparently didn’t conclude that they were being recorded, Tietz said. If they did, Tietz said, “they never stopped their activities.” Even when police seized shipments, including during the raids in April.

All the drugs were on display Wednesday outside the attorney general’s office — the 19.8 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of $1 million; 140 pounds of marijuana, value $700,000; three handguns, an assault rifle and three bullet-proof vests. The marijuana, especially, could be smelled easily in the open hall, even through the plastic bags.

Authorities also seized $58,000 in cash, two watches and a gold chain, valued at $94,000, and a money-counting machine.

The amount of drugs seized was called the most in recent memory. It rivaled other large busts of the past 10 years, including one from 2001 where 45 pounds of cocaine was seized from a Victory Avenue address in Schenectady. Four people were arrested in that case.

The news conference was attended by a number of local officials, including Schenectady Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett, Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton, Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings and Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney.

The mayors thanked law enforcement for their work. “Taking down these drug operations is an absolutely huge step in making our communities safer,” Stratton said.

“This multi-agency approach,” Jennings said, “is critical in this day and age.”

The attorney general held the news conference a month after a similar one to announce charges against 24 members of an operation allegedly headed by Kerry Kirkem and Oscar Mora. Also arrested in that operation was Lisa Kaczmarek, wife of former Schenectady police chief Greg Kaczmarek.

The two cases were similar in that they allegedly operated in Schenectady County and began with seemingly innocuous events. The earlier case began with traffic stops in Saratoga and Greene counties.

In February and early March, the two investigations ran simultaneously. They also both led to wiretaps. The Kirkem-Mora case’s wiretap transcripts have been well-publicized.

“Once we get the wiretaps,” Tietz said, “they’re done.”

But, even before they get wiretap authorization, authorities have already built a formidable case, Tietz said. He called the taps the icing on the cake.

Asked if the two cases indicate that police are getting better, or if the drug suspects were getting sloppy, Tietz said that was difficult to say.

“It comes down to hard police work and using all the tools at our disposal to make a good, solid case,” he said. “This isn’t the last case.”

Categories: Schenectady County