News Release
April 15, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth Jordan
(212) 337-2906

East Coast Cocaine Distribution Network Smashed

SAC Placido addresses NY Press

APR 15 - Special Agent in Charge Anthony Placido, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, announced the results of a six-month investigation of a ring of drug suppliers who operated an estimated $50 million dollar a year cocaine distribution network along the eastern seaboard. It is alleged that the ring transported hundreds of kilos of cocaine in vehicles including a rap artist’s touring RV, a Hummer H2, a Chrysler LHS and a Dodge Intrepid and supplied various mid-level customers in Westchester, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and Washington D.C.

More than 75 law enforcement officers executed eighteen search warrants this weekend that resulted in the arrests of four men and the seizure of 94 kilos of cocaine, over $800,000 in cash, seven handguns, two bullet proof vests and drug records. Also seized in addition to the above referenced cars were a 700 series BMW, a Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Range Rover, and a trailer outfitted with a trap capable of hauling over 100 kilos of cocaine.

Westchester DA Jeanine Pirro displays drug, cash and weapons

Charles Gant of 605 East 169th Street, Bronx, New York; James Lloyd of 527 Mundy Lane, Mt. Vernon, New York and Michael Goodson of 527 Mundy Lane, Mt. Vernon, New York have been arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. They are also charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree (to Commit Criminal Possession of a Controlled substance in the First Degree) along with Dwayne McCaskey aka Scott A. Hall of 243B Franklin Ave. Fort Lee N.J. McCaskey is currently in custody in New Jersey. Gant, Lloyd and Goodson are being held at the Westchester County Jail.

It is alleged that the defendants operated a narcotics trafficking organization from 527 Mundy Lane in Mt. Vernon, New York. Charles Gant, the alleged ringleader conspired with numerous others to purchase, transport and distribute cocaine. Gant along with James Lloyd, Michael Goodson, Dwayne McCaskey and others used cell phones to negotiate the price of the

cocaine, purchased cars and outfitted the cars with traps to conceal the drugs and guns. In addition, they also arranged for stash houses and installed traps in various pieces of furniture to store the guns, drugs and cash.

District Attorney Pirro extended her thanks and appreciation to the DEA, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bergen County Narcotics Task Force, Mt.Vernon, White Plains, Yonkers and Sleepy Hollow Police Departments New York State Police Westchester County Department of Public Safety and New York City Police.

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree is a class A1 felony punishable by a maximum of twenty-five-years to life in prison. Conspiracy in the Second Degree to Commit Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the first Degree is a class B felony punishable by a maximum of twenty-five years in state prison.