Major cocaine ring broken, leader arrested

MONTICELLO – Authorities have arrested 23 men and women and have warrants out on 10 others in connection with “Operation Intercept,” what is billed as “the most significant cocaine distribution” bust ever in Sullivan County. As much as one kilo of high grade cocaine was sold in Sullivan County weekly with an annual street value of $1.5 million.

The drug ring extended into Orange County and New York City. It was the biggest narcotics investigation in Monticello Village Police Chief Douglas Solomon’s 20 years on the force.

Sullivan County District Attorney Stephen Lungen said Adam Bloom, 25, of Sullivan County, was the ring leader. Jerry Hernandez, 32, of Queens and David Velazquez, 31, of Middletown, were his two main suppliers. Bloom was arrested while at a dentist’s office.

“Cocaine is one of the major causes of street violence that we see particularly in the Monticello area and has a direct connection to the gang activity that we have been pursing for the last several years,” said Lungen. “Bloom’s network transcended all racial and ethnic lines and from prior investigations we know that the cocaine he has brought into the county has been indirectly connected to the gang incidents in shooting incidents such as the Evergreen Housing Authority and other locations.”

Lungen said they were working to get Bloom for three years, knowing he was involved in drug sales. They couldn’t pin anything on him, until now, when undercover agents were able to infiltrate the operation.

Authorities began working on the case 17 months ago. They said the cocaine was being transported from New York City to Sullivan County where it was distributed to street level dealers for sale in Sullivan and Orange counties.

Police moved fast and arrested those in custody beginning Wednesday night and continuing through Thursday night. They are all in the Sullivan County Jail; all charged for now, with conspiracy in the second degree, a felony.

When arrested, police seized a total of one kilo of cocaine, $100,000, and 12 vehicles.

Participating in the investigation were the State Police and BCI in Liberty, the Community Narcotics Enforcement Team and Mid-Hudson Drug Enforcement Task Force; Monticello Police; federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Drug Enforcement Task Force in New York City, Orange County and Sullivan County District Attorneys’ Offices and all other police agencies in Sullivan County.