11 Suffolk defendants indicted in long-term cocaine trafficking probe

Undercover buys and search warrants unraveled a distribution network stretching from Bay Shore to Mastic Beach

Eleven Suffolk County defendants have been indicted on charges stemming from a long-term cocaine trafficking investigation spearheaded by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and New York State Police, authorities announced Friday.

Undercover drug buys launched in December 2024 targeting Jonathan Sands, 33, of Middle Island eventually unraveled what Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney described as a multi-layered distribution ring with suppliers, runners and a concurrent firearms operation.

Sands and his alleged partner Mario Tarquinio, 40, of Farmingville, repeatedly sold cocaine and prescription pills — including amphetamine, alprazolam and buprenorphine — to an undercover officer, Tierney said.

Investigators traced Sands’ cocaine supply up the chain to 32-year-old Likina Edwards of Holbrook and Andrew Trotman, 42, of Mastic Beach.

Above Edwards in the alleged hierarchy: Ralph Elliott, 53, of Bellport, identified as her supplier, with 45-year-old Lenroy Stewartson of Bay Shore allegedly supplying Elliott.

Celine Crawford, 30, of Brentwood allegedly served as Edwards’ runner, and Lyncoln Clarke, 24, of Bay Shore, is accused of running product for Stewartson. DeSean Elliott, 32, of East Islip is accused of helping in the narcotics operation.

A concurrent Suffolk Police investigation separately tied Nicholas Greaves, 31, of Amityville to undercover cocaine sales and the alleged sale of two semiautomatic pistols, weapons prosecutors said he obtained from Stewartson’s Bay Shore residence.

The home sits right next to Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School.

Stanley Strider, 52, of Manorville was identified through the Edwards network after allegedly selling two ounces of cocaine to an undercover cop, authorities said.

“This indictment reflects the tireless work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners to dismantle organizations that prey on our neighborhoods, fuel addiction, and contribute to violence,” Tierney said.

Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina added, “This multi-agency investigation yielded significant results and removed nearly a dozen dangerous drug dealers from our communities.”

Search warrants executed between November 2025 and April 2026 turned up cocaine, crack cocaine, loaded firearms and nearly $50,000 in cash across multiple defendants’ homes.

At Stewartson’s residence alone, investigators allegedly recovered two loaded firearms, roughly eight ounces of cocaine, and $13,800 in cash.

A raid of Ralph Elliott’s Bellport home yielded cocaine, crack cocaine, a loaded .40-caliber Taurus semiautomatic, jewelry and more than $24,000 in cash, along with more money he was found to be carrying, prosecutors said.

In total, the investigation netted about $48,700 in seized cash and 11 cars and trucks.

Stewartson faces the steepest bail conditions — $700,000 cash, $1.4 million bond, or a $2 million partially secured bond. Greaves and both Elliotts are being held without bail.

Sands is being kept in custody on $300,000 cash or $600,000 bond, Strider is held on $350,000 cash or $750,000 bond, and Clarke was ordered to be held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

Crawford, Likina Edwards, and DeSean Elliott were placed on supervised release, while Tarquinio was released without needing to post any bail.

Most defendants face second-degree conspiracy charges that carry prison terms of 8⅓ to 25 years. Greaves faces up to 25 years on a top count of first-degree criminal sale of a firearm.

Top: Suffolk DA Raymond Tierney, with Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina (left) speaks at a press conference earlier this year (YouTube still/SCDA).