Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, Crystal Meth, Guns, Currency…

Heroin, Fentanyl, Cocaine, Crystal Meth, Guns, Currency, Vehicles, and Jewelry Seized During Multiple Search Warrant Executions in Utica, Whitesboro, and Yorkville

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, since April of 2020, members of the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET), Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Utica Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Dept. of Homeland Security, and other local law enforcement agencies have been investigating violations of federal criminal laws prohibiting the distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine within the City of Utica and surrounding areas.

Early Wednesday morning, more than 20 search warrants were executed within the City of Utica and in the Villages of Whitesboro and Yorkville. As a result, the following individuals were arrested on federal drug trafficking charges:

• Ivan Rodriguez, age 46 from Yorkville, NY

• Ivan Rodriguez Jr., age 26 from Utica, NY

• Jose Aponte, age 21 from Utica, NY

• Angel Calderon-Ortiz, age 21 from Utica, NY

• Bernabe Lopez, age 56 from Whitesboro, NY

• Eric Ares, age 36 from Utica, NY

• Edgar Tejada, age 34 from Utica, NY

Also, Andrew Relf and Radi Fairman – both age 34 from Whitesboro, NY were arrested on an outstanding Oneida County Court warrants for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd degree.

Investigators also seized the following:

• Heroin - 3 ounces

• Fentanyl - 5 ounces

• Cocaine - 1 kilogram

• Crystal meth - 5 grams

• (6) handguns

• (2) loaded shotguns

• (1) AR-15

• (1) 9mm UZI with extended magazines

• $20,000 in U.S. currency

• Gold Jewelry valued at approximately $100,000

• (18) high end vehicles including BMW, Lexus, Jaguar, etc. (cars valued at approx. $500,000 )

Throughout the course of this investigation leading up to yesterday’s warrant executions, an additional 3.5 kilograms of Heroin / Fentanyl had been seized by investigators.

All defendants were processed, committed to the Oneida County Jail for pre-arraignment detention, and were arraigned virtually throughout Wednesday afternoon on the previously mentioned charges.

Also assisting during yesterday’s search warrant executions were the Rome, New Hartford, Whitesboro, and Yorkville Police Departments.