THREE DEFENDANTS INDICTED IN NARCOTICS AND WEAPON TRAFFICKING OPERATION FOLLOWING LONG-TERM INVESTIGATION

Defendants Charged with Large-Scale Narcotics Sales and a Conspiracy to Distribute Large-Scale Narcotics

Defendant Santos Hernandez Additionally Charged with Selling a Loaded Firearm to an Undercover Police Officer

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Santos Hernandez, Rudy Euceda, and Brian Blanco, following a long-term investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad into a narcotics and weapon trafficking operation in Brentwood.

“Through the great work of the detectives and prosecutors on this case, we were able to dismantle this organization and each of these defendants now face significant prison time,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Nonetheless, despite our extensive investigation revealing that defendant Brian Blanco was the alleged fentanyl supplier in this operation, due to our current New York State bail laws, we are unable to request bail at the time of his arraignment.”

According to the investigation, between April 6 and November 9, 2023, Hernandez, Euceda and Blanco allegedly conspired to sell Class “A” Felony weight amounts of cocaine and fentanyl, primarily out of their Brentwood residences.

The investigation involved several investigative techniques including the use of an undercover member of law enforcement who allegedly purchased narcotics from these defendants and a firearm from Hernandez, the execution of search warrants, audio and video recordings, and physical surveillance.

Over the course of five months, Hernandez, 24, of Brentwood, allegedly sold both cocaine and fentanyl to an undercover police officer on six separate occasions and sold a loaded and operable firearm on one occasion. 

Euceda, 37, of Brentwood, was identified as an alleged fentanyl cocaine supplier to Hernandez and sold cocaine on eight separate occasions. On November 7, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Euceda’s residence and resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cash, scales, and packaging materials. Additionally, a 2018 Toyota pick-up truck purchased using drug proceeds was seized at the time of his arrest. 

Blanco, 20, of Brentwood was identified as an alleged fentanyl supplier to Hernandez.  Blanco was observed supplying Hernandez with over 400 pills on November 9, 2023. 

Hernandez is charged with:

• One count of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A-1 felony; 
• Five counts of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-2 felonies;
• Seven counts of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;  
• One count of Criminal Sale Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;  
• One count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony;  
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony; and
• One count of Criminal Sale of Firearm in the Third Degree, a Class D violent felony. 

Euceda is charged with:

• One Count of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a Class A-1 felony;  
• Five Counts of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-2 felonies;
• 10 Counts of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• One Count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony; and  
• Two Counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanors. 

Blanco is charged with:

• Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-2 felony;  
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;  
• Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony.  

On December 13, 2023, County Court Judge, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski ordered Euceda held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 million partially secured bond. Euceda faces a maximum of 20 years of incarceration if convicted on the top count of the indictment. He is due back in court on January 30, 2024. He is being represented by Robert Lazazzaro, Esq.

On December 14, 2023, Judge Pilewski ordered Hernandez to be held on $500,000 cash, $1 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond. Hernandez faces a maximum of 20 years of incarceration if convicted on the top count of the indictment. Hernandez is due back in court on January 16, 2024. He is being represented by Dan Sullivan, Esq.

On December 19, 2023, Blanco was arraigned on the indictment before Judge Pilewski. Under current New York State law, the District Attorney’s Office could not request bail for Blanco, despite the serious nature of his alleged offenses, which carry a prison sentence of up to 10 years’ incarceration for selling fentanyl to Hernandez, as well as, 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison for the Conspiracy charge. Blanco is represented by James D’Angelo, Esq. He is due back in court on January 25, 2024.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristin Barnes of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau. The investigation was led by Detective Michael Kinehan of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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