A 24-year-old Georgia man faces gun and drug charges after he allegedly sold 25 guns and cocaine to an undercover officer in New York, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Yamil Torres-Rincon of Atlanta, who was taken into custody on Friday night in New York, was arraigned Saturday on multiple counts of criminal sale of a firearm and remains held on $325,000 bond or $150,000 cash bail, the DEA said.
Credit: DEA
Credit: DEA
The three-month investigation helped disrupt a Georgia-to-New York gun trafficking pipeline and resulted in the seizure of 25 guns, including five assault weapons, according to the DEA’s news release.
“Unfortunately, drug and firearms trafficking have a symbiotic relationship,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan said in the release. “This investigation identified an individual who precipitated the trafficking of numerous firearms and addictive drugs into our communities, all while crossing state lines, attempting to evade law enforcement. This arrest demonstrates the diligence and commitment of our counterparts to safeguard our neighborhoods. I commend the persistence of our agents and officers of the DEA Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force group, our fellow law enforcement partners, and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office throughout this dangerous and multi-faceted investigation.”
The gun sales allegedly happened between Sept. 3 and Nov. 12 in Manhattan, the DEA said in its release. Before each sale, Torres-Rincon reportedly traveled from Georgia to New York City and often drove with guns concealed inside a hidden compartment in his car, the DEA said.
Torres-Rincon charged $42,900 for 20 handguns and three assault weapons that were sold on the first three dates, according to the DEA release.
Twenty handguns, including pistols and revolvers, and five assault weapons were seized, the DEA said in its release. Some guns allegedly were stolen, according to the New York Police Department.
“Gun violence is surging across our city. Guns and drugs go hand in hand, and both lead to senseless deaths. Reducing the supply of illegal firearms on our streets is a top priority,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said in the news release.
An undercover officer bought cocaine on one occasion, and the monthlong wiretap investigation revealed Torres-Rincon allegedly negotiated larger narcotics deals, the DEA said.
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