47 Convicted, Sentenced in Finger Lakes Major Drug Trafficking Bust

New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction and sentencing of 47 individuals involved in two major drug trafficking networks operating across several counties in the Finger Lakes region, including Wayne, Monroe, Cayuga, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates. The investigation, led by the Attorney General's Organized Crimes Task Force in collaboration with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and other agencies, resulted in the seizure of over 10 kilograms each of fentanyl and cocaine valued at $9 million, along with 19 firearms including assault weapons and ghost guns, and more than $440,000 in cash. The investigation employed covert physical and electronic surveillance and multiple search warrants to dismantle the sophisticated trafficking operations. Michael Danzey, a central figure and leader of the networks, was sentenced to 25 years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision; other key operatives were also sentenced or received probation. The networks were found to operate with connections extending as far as Louisiana and California, with some involved using smuggled cellphones to coordinate narcotics shipments. Attorney General James emphasized her commitment to combating illegal drugs that endanger New Yorkers and praised the multi-agency collaboration that led to these prosecutions.