Eight indicted in Akwesasne-Syracuse drug ring

The United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York released the names of eight individuals accused of smuggling millions of dollars worth of marijuana across the U.S. – Canada border and transporting it to the Syracuse, NY area.

“Project River Crossing”, a four-month long investigation by joint investigative services “identified a drug trafficking operation responsible for disseminating millions of dollars worth of marijuana throughout Syracuse and Onondaga County” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Authorities revealed that throughout the investigation, agents used wiretaps on key individuals who were supplying David Lafontaine, age 29, of Bridgeport, NY with drugs. Fontaine’s operation is known to authorities as the David Lafontaine Drug Trafficking Operation (DTO).

Police said the drugs were smuggled across the border at Akwesasne before being delivered to Lafontaine.

On August 17, 2008 search warrants were executed and the individuals were taken into custody. The eight accused are:

DAVID LAFONTAINE, aka David Lett, age 29, Bridgeport, NY;

RANDY JAREO, age 36, North Syracuse, NY;

EDWARD BURNS, aka EJ, age 28, North Syracuse, NY;

CHARLES CESARIO, aka Bubba, age 27, Bridgeport, NY

MARK MCLOUGHLIN, aka Brother T, Tito, age 28, Clay, NY;

CARL PIERCE, aka Cloudy Day, Mailman, age 45, Akwesasne, NY;

HELENA JACOBS, age 50, Akwesasne, NY; and

CYNTHIA JAREO-LETT, age 33, Bridgeport, NY.

All eight were charged with conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum five or ten year term of imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment, up to a $4 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any period of incarceration.

During the arrests and searches, authorities seized five vehicles; four firearms which included a loaded .380 handgun, a .38 revolver, a loaded Kel Tech .40 caliber semi-automatic rifle with a loaded 15 round clip, and a 12 gauge shotgun; a bullet proof vest; $53,751 in United States currency; and approximately 60 pounds of marijuana.