Suffolk County: 329 charges laid in sweeping narcotics trafficking investigations

Suffolk County authorities have unveiled three indictments charging 29 defendants with a staggering total of 329 counts, following extensive joint investigations into narcotics trafficking networks that stretched from Brooklyn to Suffolk County.

This high-profile crackdown highlights the collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal agencies working in unison to dismantle these sophisticated drug operations.

The investigations, which spanned several months, involved meticulous planning and execution. Law enforcement officials conducted search warrants across a range of platforms, including cellular telephones, residences, vehicles, and other digital sources of data.

These operations were complemented by thousands of hours of electronic and video surveillance, leading to the identification and in-depth investigation of multiple alleged drug dealing networks extending from Brooklyn to the scenic locales of Montauk.

One of the indictments sheds light on the dramatic events that unfolded during the operation. On April 4, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an apartment in Bohemia, purportedly utilized as a stash house by individuals identified as Tomlinson, Scanlon, Hudler, Mullane, and Dijennaro. According to the indictment, this location was a hub for distributing cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.

The situation escalated when Scanlon allegedly attempted to evade law enforcement, fleeing the scene in his vehicle. In a brazen act, he reportedly struck a Suffolk County Police officer in his bid to escape capture. The pursuit that followed was intense and protracted, with Scanlon leading law enforcement on an extended chase. During the pursuit, he allegedly fired multiple shots at officers as they sought to apprehend him, culminating in a dramatic crash of his minivan on the Sunrise Highway service road in Bayshore.

These indictments serve as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement agencies determined to curtail the spread of narcotics within the community.

The collaborative efforts of various agencies underscore the complexity and severity of the drug trafficking operations and highlight the ongoing commitment to safeguarding public safety.