2 Dozen Indicted In Hudson Valley Heroin Sweep

GOSHEN, N.Y. (AP) — A grand jury has indicted two dozen people in connection with a drug sweep of a Hudson Valley heroin-trafficking ring.

The Times Herald-Record of Middletown reports (http://bit.ly/2aJr4RB ) Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler made the announcement Monday. The raids were carried out as a part of "Operation Punch Out" and were the result of a 10-month investigation by several law enforcement agencies.

Authorities say the alleged ringleader, 36-year-old Earl Melvin of Newburgh, was among those indicted. The charges against him include operating as a major trafficker.

The indictment alleges Melvin ran a ring with at least 20 people working for him that was responsible for heroin sales in excess of $75,000 from June 2015 to June 2016.

It couldn't be determined if he has an attorney who could comment on the charges.

___

Information from: The Times Herald-Record, http://www.th-record.com

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]