Drug bust on LI had enough fentanyl to kill all of Nassau County: police

According to Nassau County police, a recent drug bust prevented 3 kilograms of pure fentanyl from being sold on the streets. If sold, it would have been enough to wipe out the entire population of Nassau County and even a third of Suffolk County.

Juan Cruz from the Bronx was intercepted by authorities after a tip claimed he was trafficking drugs worth almost $60,000.

Experts have stated that even a small amount of fentanyl, equivalent to a couple of grains on the tip of a pencil, is lethal to a person.

According to the police, Cruz lacks proper documentation and has confessed to crossing the Mexican border to re-enter the country after being deported to the Dominican Republic in 2012.

His criminal history is difficult to confirm. Ryder explained, "During the fingerprinting process, his fingerprints were missing as he had burned them off his hands, which made it impossible for us to identify him."

According to Nassau County officials, Long Island has been severely affected by fentanyl and the younger population is particularly susceptible to this extremely addictive and deadly substance.

Operation Overwatch is a new initiative aimed at increasing patrol efforts by the police due to the fact that Fentanyl overdoses have surpassed traffic accidents as the primary cause of death among 18 to 35-year-olds.

"Every neighborhood in Nassau County will have twenty cars active for 12 hours each day," revealed Bruce Blakeman, the County Executive.

The recent drug bust is one of many operations by the police this week, including unrelated traffic stops that resulted in arrests for possession of illegal weapons. In every case, the suspect was pulled over for a traffic violation.

Included in the inventory are a 380 caliber gun, a Ruger of 22 calibers, and a 9mm handgun. In a particular instance, authorities reported that Kashawn Price, the driver, and his passenger Asaady Smiley had an 8-month-old infant and a 2-year-old child in the automobile with them, as well as a loaded 9mm, a magazine that could hold twelve rounds, and further .22 caliber ammunition.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly remarked, "By removing unlawful firearms from the streets, we are contributing to the increased safety of Nassau County."

Law enforcement and treatment, according to Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds from the Family and Children's Association, are significant in combating drugs; however, they don't contribute significantly towards preventing drug use.

Reynolds explained that the immediate availability of fentanyl during a mental health crisis is a dangerous combination that leads to a perfect storm, which is the current situation.

Cruz is currently detained in the county jail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

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