DA: 50 Hudson Valley ‘Merchants of Death’ Sold Deadly Drugs

Fifty so-called "merchants of death," were charged for allegedly selling heroin and more in the Hudson Valley.

On Thursday, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced 50 were all charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance, among other charges, for allegedly trafficking fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and prescription medications throughout Orange County.

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“We are witnessing an alarming trend of increasing fatal opioid overdoses, even as prescriptions for opioid medications are falling,” Hoovler said. “Drug dealers selling opioids, including heroin, oxycodone, and fentanyl, truly are merchants of death."

A joint police enforcement action, called “Joint Endeavor,” used undercover police officers and informants to purchase fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and prescription medications. Search warrants were also utilized.

"Enforcement actions have been brought in response to community complaints about narcotics traffickers destroying their communities and have been successful, due to the collective efforts of the police agencies involved. Together, we can combat the narcotics epidemic that is killing far too many in our communities," Hoovler said.

Below is a list of names and ages of those arrested in the investigation: