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Heroin Ring busted in New Hartford

By WKTV News

Story Created: Nov 16, 2011 at 11:32 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 17, 2011 at 12:26 AM EDT

NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (WKTV) - Five men face drug charges after the Oneida County Drug Task Force dismantles a heroin ring in New Hartford. For two years, the Task Force has had it's eye on the the ring whose network included New Hartford, Waterville, Sherrill and Utica.

On Monday, the NY/NJ Violent Felony Fugitive Task Force caught up with a New Hartford man in New York City. Ernesto Lowenkopf of 4300 Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford was taken into custody and brought back to Oneida County. Police say they searched Lowenkopf's home as well as his mother's home on Stafford Avenue in Waterville and uncovered $51,000 cash, two handguns and over 200 bags of heroin with a value of more than $4000. Lowenkopf is being held at the Oneida County Jail with no bail.

Charged in connection with the ring are:

- Gerald Suits, 28, of Waterville
- Daniel Militello, 31, of Sherrill
- Thomas Williams, 31, of Oriskany Falls
- Derek Stitt, 25, of New Hartford

These four are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance and conspiracy. All four are out on bail.
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