Search of defendant’s home found cocaine, handgun and ammunition
By Alicia Venter
aventer@queensledger.com
A Jackson Heights man has been indicted on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Alejandro Rodriguez, 43, was arraigned yesterday on an 18-count indictment, including 14 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and third degrees. He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.
According to the charges, Rodriguez is accused of supplying a large quantity of narcotics to an undercover officer over the course of five months.
The indictment states that there were a total of seven transactions Rodriguez and an undercover officer where more than 14 ounces of cocaine were sold.
Rodriguez is of 91st Street in Jackson Heights. On Oct. 19, a search of the defendant’s home resulted in the recovery of 60 grams of cocaine, an unlicensed .45 caliber handgun and 20 rounds of ammunition.
Following this search, the defendant was arrested, and an additional 100 grams of cocaine were recovered from his person.
The defendant has been ordered to return to court on Dec. 6.
“Illicit drug sales fuel addictions that destroy lives and violence that endangers our communities,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “We will not relent in our efforts to remove this poison from our streets and hold accused dealers accountable. I thank my Major Economic Crimes Bureau as well as our law enforcement partners for their commitment to those we serve.”
