‘Operation North Star’ Nets 31 Drug Arrests in Capital Region

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Tuesday announced a multi-agency narcotics crackdown that led to a 226-count indictment, charging 31 defendants with distributing large quantities of cocaine throughout the capital region.

The cocaine was being distributed in Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer counties, which they imported from New York City. Two of the defendants have also been charged with conspiracy to commit murder after wiretaps uncovered a murder plot.

As part of an operation code-named "Operation North Star," state and local law enforcement agents led by the New York State Attorney General's organized crime task force, the Albany Police Department and the New York State Police concluded an eleven-month investigation into this drug network. They found the network was conducting illicit activities on the streets of the capital region.

During the investigation, police seized over 1,900 grams of cocaine with an approximate street value of $200,000. More than $100,000 in cash that was generated through cocaine trafficking, three vehicles, a bulletproof vest, and a hand gun which were to be allegedly used in an impending murder.