Patrick Lloyd, Drug Trafficking, New York 2023

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK — Patrick Lloyd, a.k.a. “Problem,” age 28, of New York City, was sentence[d] today to serve 25 years in prison for distributing crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin in the Massena area, and for possessing guns while distributing drugs.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Lloyd is the last of 17 defendants to be prosecuted and sentenced as a result of a long-term investigation led by HSI, the Massena Police Department, the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and the New York State Police. The investigation targeted 2 organizations – the Lloyd organization and the Matthew Malu organization – from New York City that brought drugs and violence to the Massena area in 2012 and 2013.

Senior U.S. District Judge Gary L. Sharpe, who called Lloyd’s actions “drug terrorism,” also sentenced Lloyd to 10 years of post-imprisonment supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian said: “Lloyd’s nickname is ‘Problem,’ but thanks to this investigation he will not be a problem for the North Country anymore. The success of this case is the result of great cooperation among federal, state, local, Canadian and tribal agencies, which came together to put a stop to 2 criminal organizations with roots in New York City that were intent on bringing drugs and violence to the Massena area. Lloyd’s sentencing marks the end of this particular investigation but not to our commitment to keeping this and other North Country communities safe.”

James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Buffalo Field Office, said: “The lengthy prison term handed down today emphasizes that drug traffickers will not find a safe haven distributing heroin in the North Country. Criminals who attempt to operate in this region, no matter where they are based, will continue to be aggressively targeted by the coordinated effort of federal, state and local law enforcement.”

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