TWO ALLEGED BLOODS GANG MEMBERS INDICTED FOR GUN TRAFFICKING AFTER LONG-TERM INVESTIGATION

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Caciem Kruer, 26, of Farmingville, and Abdul Muhammad, 23, of Bay Shore, were charged in a 39-count indictment following a long-term investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department, into an alleged gun-trafficking operation run by alleged gang members in Suffolk County.

“The trafficking and sale of illegal firearms poses a significant risk to public safety, and has no place in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “I want to thank our investigators in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the detectives in the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad for their tireless efforts to ensure that these alleged illegal guns were kept out of the hands of gang members and those who would use firearms unlawfully.”

According to the investigation, from February 2024 through March 2024, Kruer and Muhammad, who are alleged members the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subset of the nationwide violent street gang known as the Bloods, allegedly acted together to sell weapons to an undercover detective. Over the course of several dates, Kruer and Muhammad allegedly sold the undercover four loaded pistols, one revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Three of the eight firearms allegedly sold to the undercover by the defendants were purchased in the southern region of the United States and were transported to Suffolk County. The remainder of the guns sold allegedly had their serial numbers defaced, preventing their origin from being traced.

In addition to the use of an undercover detective, several other investigative techniques were used including the execution of search warrants, audio and video recordings, and physical surveillance.

On August 21, 2024, Kruer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski, for the following charges:

• Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;

• Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;

• Fourteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;

• Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;

• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies;

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony; and

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Justice Pilewski ordered Kruer held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Kruer is due back in court on September 23, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

On August 21, 2024, Muhammad was arraigned on the indictment before Justice Pilewski, for the following charges:

• Two counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies;

• Seven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies;

• Thirteen counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;

• Eleven counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies;

• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D felonies; and

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Justice Pilewski ordered Muhammad held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond, or $10,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Muhammad is due back in court on September 30, 2024, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Glenn Obedin, Esq.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Coscia of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, and the investigation was led by Detective Jennifer Foster 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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