Matthew Draper, Narcotics Trafficking, New York 2016

Rockland County Man Charged with Wholesale Cocaine Trafficking

A Rockland County man has been indicted for allegedly trafficking wholesale amounts of cocaine in and around Rockland County, New York. Matthew Draper, 49, of Haverstraw, New York, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute narcotics and one count of possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

According to the indictment, Draper was part of a cocaine distribution conspiracy that transported wholesale amounts of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to the New York area on commercial airline flights. The conspiracy relied on contacts working in airports both in the Dominican Republic and in the United States to facilitate the deliveries.

From in or around September 2016 through October 5, 2016, Draper worked with a confidential informant and a supplier in the Dominican Republic to facilitate the transport of approximately 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to New York. The cocaine was scheduled to arrive at JFK Airport, but DEA agents were able to locate the airplane and the luggage in question.

Upon his arrest, law enforcement recovered approximately $23,000 in cash and what appeared to be an additional kilogram of cocaine from Draper’s vehicle. A search warrant was also executed on Draper’s residence, where an additional half-kilogram of a substance that appeared to be cocaine was recovered.

Draper faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for each count. The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Burns, Lauren Schorr, and Christopher J. Clore in charge.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Rockland County Drug Task Force and the Town of Haverstraw Police Department Street Crime Unit.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim praised the investigative work of the DEA and thanked the assisting agencies for their cooperation and assistance in the investigation.

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