Great Neck Drug Ring Smashed; Four Men Arrested

Large quantities of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine recovered

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced today that an 18-month-long joint investigation with the Nassau County Police Department has resulted in the dismantling of a Great Neck drug ring that distributed heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine throughout the North Shore community.

Rice said the Nassau County Police Department began collecting intelligence in March 2008 that Akey Williams, 40, of Great Neck, was selling drugs out of his Summer Avenue home. Surveillance by police revealed a high level of activity outside of Williams’ home, as well as numerous hand-to-hand transactions between Williams and drug users.

Individuals arrested for drug possession immediately after being observed buying drugs from Williams identified Williams as selling quantities of heroin and cocaine in the Great Neck area.

In June 2009, a wiretap by the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office intercepted numerous calls wherein individuals ordered quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. Investigators were eventually able to identify Williams’ supplier as Michael Gates, 37, of Flushing, Queens.

Further surveillance revealed that Williams was trying to replenish his supply from Gates before Gates could catch a flight out of town from JFK International Airport on September 17. A September 16 purchase was made on behalf of Williams by his father, El Rahiem.

On September 17, Gates, Williams, Rahiem, and Williams’ nephew, Amar Williams, were arrested. Search warrants executed at Gates’ apartment and car, and Akey Williams’ Great Neck home led to the recovery of 51 grams of cocaine, 32 grams of crack cocaine, 170 grams of heroin, two ounces of marijuana, $70,600 in cash from Gates’ apartment, and a loaded .380-caliber handgun.

Rahiem is believed to have driven his son to pick up drugs from Gates, while Amar Williams is believed to have delivered drugs to customers on behalf of his uncle.

Williams is charged with Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, three counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. Williams faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted. He is represented by Edward Dudley, Esq. and is due back in court October 23.

Gates is charged with Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. He faces up to 24 years in prison if convicted. He is represented by David Louis Cohen, Esq. and is due back in court October 20.

Rahiem has been charged with three counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Second Degree. He faces up to 10 years in prison. He is represented by Dana Grossblatt, Esq. and is due back in court October 23.

Amar Williams has been charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted. He is represented by Karl Seman, Esq. and is due back in court October 20.

“I want to congratulate the men and women of the Nassau County Police Department and my office for their fine work in destroying an organization that made money off the misery of others,” Rice said. “We will not sit idly by while drug dealers and traffickers destroy our neighborhoods and endanger lives. We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who peddle drugs on our streets.”

Handling the case for the DA’s Office is Deputy Bureau Chief Kristen Fexas and ADAs Kathleen Swenson and Irene Angelakis of the Street Narcotics and Gangs Bureau.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.