Christopher Corley, 47, of Valley Stream, was sentenced to a decade behind bars for masterminding a large-scale narcotics trafficking operation that flooded the South Shore of Nassau County with dangerous drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl.
Corley, who pleaded guilty in April, was involved in a sophisticated drug distribution network that moved significant quantities of cocaine, crack, and fentanyl throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. His operation was dismantled following a thorough nine-month investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Long Island District Office Task Force and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
According to DA Anne T. Donnelly, Corley’s operation posed a significant threat to community safety. She highlighted the lethal potency of fentanyl and its role in many overdose deaths across the region. The collaboration with the DEA and other agencies was instrumental in breaking up this dangerous network.
The investigation into Corley’s activities began in October 2022, leading to months of surveillance at several locations in Nassau County. By March 2023, authorities had secured electronic eavesdropping warrants, revealing conversations where Corley and his co-defendants discussed manufacturing and distributing narcotics.
On June 13, 2023, search warrants were executed at Corley’s residence on North Montgomery Street in Valley Stream. Police recovered a narcotics kilogram press used to make bricks of cocaine, stamps with symbols like a Yin-Yang and a “Transformers” head, and a trap disguised as an old microwave containing nearly three kilograms of cocaine and 430 grams of fentanyl.
In total, the raids on June 13, 2023, yielded:
- Over 3.9 kilograms of cocaine (approximately 8.5 pounds)
- Nearly half a kilogram of fentanyl
- More than 24 grams of crack/cocaine
- Seven firearms, including a ghost gun and an assault weapon
- Four large-capacity magazines
- Over 23 grams of alprazolam
- Approximately 4.2 grams of oxycodone
- Two kilogram presses
Several co-defendants have already pleaded guilty to various charges. Christopher Lasane Jr., 27, of Long Beach, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and is expected to receive one to three years in prison. Thomas Keyes, 36, of Long Beach, pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and is expected to receive five years in prison. Clifford Nealy, 47, of West Hempstead, pleaded guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and is expected to receive 2-1/2 years in prison.
Cases against other defendants, including James Anthony Alexander, Janeathea Nealy, Christopher Lasane Sr., and Keya Evans, are still pending.
The charges against the remaining defendants are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
