By Tiffany Williams –
BINGHAMTON, NY — A year-long, multi-agency crackdown in Broome County has resulted in the seizure of massive quantities of narcotics and illegal firearms, authorities announced, laying out what they describe as a coordinated, aggressive push to dismantle drug trafficking operations at every level.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials stood together to announce the results of Operation Clean Sweep — a sweeping enforcement effort that pulled 475 grams of fentanyl, 63 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.374 kilograms of liquid methadone, 350 grams of crack cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 2.6 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, and a staggering 400 pounds of marijuana and THC products off the streets. Alongside the drugs, 20 illegally possessed firearms were also seized.
The scale is not subtle. The scope is not small. And the message from law enforcement is not ambiguous.
“Since I was appointed to lead this Office on March 17, 2025, one of my top priorities has been improving and solidifying the collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement in this District, because this collaboration saves lives,” said FAUSA Sarcone. “I have worked tirelessly to achieve that goal and ensure that none of the 32 counties we serve was left behind in the process. This is no truer than in Broome County, where the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff and the dedicated members of state and local law enforcement finally—after 5 long agonizing years of ‘social justice,’ e.g., ‘bail reform’ legislation that stripped away law enforcements ability to investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute violent criminals—with the help of my office and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Department of Justice, our law enforcement partners in the Northern District of New York can once again use every legal tool at their disposal compliments of the U.S. Department of Justice to once again maximize its ability to protect the public from those who possess illegal firearms, traffic illegal drugs that destroy lives, families, and communities.”
That statement lands with force, not just highlighting the results, but framing them inside a broader argument about enforcement, authority, and the ability of law enforcement to act. It is a declaration that this operation is not just about seizures — it is about capability, restored and exercised.
FAUSA Sarcone continued: “I am thrilled to announce some of the stellar results of Operation Clean Sweep along with my partners in combatting crime: the fine law enforcement officials of the Broome County District Attorney’s office led by DA Paul Battisti, the Sheriff’s office led by Fred Akshar, the Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City and Endicott Police Departments, and our great partners in the New York State Police Troop C, and our federal partners, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, USPIS, and IRS-CI. I assure the public that these incredible seizures and arrests are just part of many successful operations to come in the Northern District of New York.”
The emphasis is clear — this is not a one-off. This is part of a continuing strategy.
“All of this has been removed from the street because Broome County law enforcement is collaborating with our federal, state and local partners,” DA Battisti said. “We have incredible members of law enforcement here in Broome County and every day this collaboration gets stronger.”
That collaboration is at the center of everything being presented here. Multiple agencies, multiple jurisdictions, one operation — all aligned toward the same objective: disrupt supply, seize weapons, and apply pressure.
SAC Tremaroli stated: “Operation Clean Sweep was a remarkable success because of the incredible partnerships we have at every level of law enforcement within Broome County and beyond. Because while we all may wear a different badge, every one of us has the shared mission of keeping our communities safe and we know we can best accomplish that mission when we work together.”
And then the tone sharpens even further.
Sheriff Akshar stated: “The interagency partnership of Operation Clean Sweep should send a clear message to those who continue to peddle poison in our community, to those who possess illegal firearms, and to those who choose violence and put the lives of our community members in danger in Broome County: We are coming for you and you will be held accountable. Our community demands it.”
That is not a passive statement. That is a warning.
Because when you step back from the numbers — the pounds, the kilograms, the grams — what remains is the strategy. Remove supply. Target distribution. Seize weapons. And do it with coordinated force across agencies that, historically, may not have always moved in lockstep.
Operation Clean Sweep, as presented here, is being framed as proof that when that coordination happens, the results follow. The drugs are seized. The guns are taken. The networks are disrupted.
And the message from law enforcement is that this is just the beginning.