Thirteen charged in connection with major heroin distribution ring

Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill announced on Thursday, May 4 that 13 people have been charged in connection with the operation of a major heroin distribution ring as part of an investigation conducted between September 2016 and May 2017.

It has been alleged that former National Collegiate Athletic Association and American Basketball Association player James “Fly” Williams directed the operations, which purchased narcotics from suppliers in the Bronx, and then re-sold them in multiple Brooklyn neighborhoods, including Bushwick, Brownsville, Flatbush and Fort Greene.

Williams, as well as Jeffrey Britt (“Doobie”), Hanziel Martinez Cintron (“Johnny”) and Richard Rivera (“Cristiano”) were each charged with operating as a major trafficker in violation of the state’s drug kingpin statue, as well as first and third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and other related counts. The charge carries a maximum of up to 25 years to life in prison. The other accused members of the operation were variously charged with third degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and other related charges.

“These defendants had no consideration of the harm suffered by so many from the dangerous narcotics they allegedly peddled,” said Gonzalez. “They just cared about making money, exploiting addicts and the heroin epidemic that is spreading throughout our communities with devastating results.”