By Tiffany Williams –
During an extensive 18-month undercover operation led by the New York City Police Department’s Queens North Narcotics division, five individuals were indicted this week on a range of charges including conspiracy, criminal sale of a controlled substance, and gun sale.
The investigation centered on the New York City Housing Authority’s Astoria Houses complex located at 4-25 Astoria Blvd, Astoria, NY.
The four of the five individuals indicted are Darryl Sanford, 40, of Astoria, Andre Smith, 43, of Astoria, I-Kym Jackson, 31, of Astoria, and Jamar Howard, 38, of Astoria.
Sanford faces charges including conspiracy in the fourth degree, multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in various degrees, criminal possession of a controlled substance, using drug paraphernalia, and criminal possession of a weapon. Smith has been charged with conspiracy in the second degree, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first degree, and criminal sale of a controlled substance in the second degree. Jackson is charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree, multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, and falsifying business records in the first degree. Howard is charged with conspiracy in the fourth degree, multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and using drug paraphernalia.
The investigation, which began in March 2023, involved undercover police officers making 30 purchases of narcotics, including 103 Percocet pills, 649 ecstasy pills, approximately 300 grams of cocaine, and an illegal firearm.
During the course of their investigation, it was discovered that I-Kym Jackson was a NYCHA employee.
On Wednesday, the NYPD executed court-authorized search and arrest warrants at four separate apartments within the Astoria Houses, resulting in the arrest of the four defendants and the seizure of heroin and drug paraphernalia, including scales with drug residue.
The total street value of the confiscated narcotics was estimated to be approximately $15,000.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Karen Gopee has ordered the defendants to return to court on November 7, 2024.