Charges Stemmed from Investigation into Fatal Overdoses
A Holbrook man was found guilty of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, and 91 other charges, for his role in a large-scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.
In September 2022, law enforcement responded to a fatal overdose in Holbrook. Members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office East End Drug Task Force endeavored in an eight-month-long investigation into the circumstances surrounding the overdose and during that time learned that Russell Defreitas — also known as “Merc” — was a member of a large-scale organization in Suffolk County that was conspiring to sell large amounts of crack cocaine and potent fentanyl, and using loaded firearms to protect their drug contraband.
On March 9, 2023, a male and female were in a hotel room rented by Defreitas. When the female overdosed in the hotel room, Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911. Defreitas removed drugs and other evidence from the hotel room and then went to eat at a nearby Wendy’s. Hours later, Defreitas allowed one of his associates to call 911. At that point, both the female and male had fatally overdosed in the hotel room.
Defreitas was arrested on March 11, 2023, while staying in another hotel. That same day, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at Defreitas’ hotel room, his trailer in Holbrook, and his vehicle that was used for drug trafficking. During those searches, law enforcement recovered cocaine, fentanyl, two loaded firearms, cutting agents, drug packaging materials, scales used to weigh narcotics, and numerous hotel room key cards. Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas had bank cards in the names of two of the overdose victims in his possession.
On May 18, 2023, Defreitas testified at a court proceeding on his own behalf. The evidence at trial showed that, during that proceeding, he repeatedly lied under oath about his drug dealing activity.
On March 11, 2025, exactly two years after Defreitas, 55, was arrested, he was convicted of the following 92 counts, after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft:
- one count of Operating as a Major Drug Trafficker, a Class A-I felony
- eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Class A-I felonies
- 10 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, Class A-II felonies
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A-II felony
- one count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a Class B felony
- six counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies
- 45 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies
- two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class C violent felonies
- two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, Class D violent felonies
- one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class D felony
- three counts of Perjury in the First Degree, a Class D felony
- one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E felony
- five counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, Class A misdemeanors
- six counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, Class A misdemeanors
“This defendant distributed deadly fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine with complete disregard for human life, directly causing the tragic deaths of two victims,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “While no verdict can bring back those whom we’ve lost, we hope this conviction provides some measure of closure to the family and friends who lost loved ones. Cases like this are exactly why the New York Legislature must pass Chelsey’s Law.”
Defreitas is due back in court for sentencing on April 14, 2025, and faces up to life in prison. He represented himself throughout the trial.