SULLIVAN COUNTY — Sullivan County District Attorney (DA) Brian Conaty spoke on Monday on a significant drug trafficking bust operation, dubbed Operation Hard Rock, that was undertaken by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office Gang and Narcotics Intelligence Unit, Homeland Security Investigations with participation from the New York State Police.

Following a two-month long investigation, Sullivan County Law Enforcement agencies reported their successful dismantling of a major drug wholesale drug trafficking operation, and the arrest of 50-year-old Raheem Meridith of Monticello. The seizure happened at about 9:15 a.m. on Friday October 25 when the Sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit entered apartment 2-A at the Lexington Park Apartments located at 3396 State Route 42 near Cantrell Road, in the Town of Thompson.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Meredith was charged with three felony counts including Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, which is a class A-1 Felony and two misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with the investigation. He was taken into custody without incident following a traffic stop, a short distance from the apartment. 

He was arraigned before Town of Thompson Justice Sharon Jankiewicz and due to his three prior felony convictions, was remanded to the Sullivan County Jail without bail.

The findings of this warrant resulted in a massive seizure of evidence. Among the items that were seized included:

3.16 kilograms of cocaine with an approximate street value of $100,000.

142 grams of marijuana with an approximate street value of $1,500. 

1.7 grams of tusi [pink cocaine] with an approximate street value of $200.

$132,000 in cash

Sheriff Mike Schiff said that this was a significant seizure. 

“It’s not every day that you see kilo size bricks of cocaine and $130,000 in cash with a Sullivan County based drug dealer,” said Schiff. “This was definitely a wholesale operation.”

The search parties were put on notice of the new narcotic being distributed with the help of HIDTA (High Intense Drug Trafficking Areas) this past July.

“This is a major disruption in the drug supply chain,” stated Conaty. “This cash came off the backs and out of the pockets of our friends, families, neighbors and loved ones that this offender has spread this poison to,” stated Conaty.

Sheriff Schiff thanked Homeland Security Investigations, the District Attorney’s Office, and State Police for their assistance on this arrest.

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker said, “[This] announcement underscores the vital importance of collaboration among partners, each of whom brings unique resources and information, in our shared pursuit of a greater goal: the safety of our Sullivan County neighbors and New Yorkers as a whole.”