A months-long investigation involving local, state and federal law enforcement resulted in 22 arrests in Rochester for drug and firearm possession, the Rochester Police Department announced on Aug. 27.
The drug network was led by 36-year-old Javaris Corbit, police allege, who was arrested June 24 after investigators executed 14 search warrants across Rochester. After he posted bail, he resumed his drug-dealing operation, an RPD release said. The investigation was renewed and Corbit was arrested again when 10 search warrants were simultaneously executed the morning of Aug. 26.
All told, the 24 search warrants netted contraband including roughly 3.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, 10 grams of methamphetamine
and 75 oxycodone pills. Also seized were 20 handguns, four assault-style rifles, two shotguns and a crossbow.
Corbit was charged on June 24 with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 1st degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree and a variety of misdemeanor charges. The Aug. 26 arrest added charges of criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree and misdemeanor charges.
Among those charged in the case were three teenage boys, each charged with multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree and misdemeanor charges.
Police declined to identify where the warrants were served during a news conference on Aug. 27.
“We executed the search warrants and some of those locations went back up running again, were drug dealing spots again. So obviously we don’t want to start to give out those locations on the chance they continue to operate,” said Rochester Police Capt. Greg Bello.
Partner agencies in the investigation and arrests included the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York State Police, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Ontario County Sheriff's Office, Greece Police Department. The FBI’s Buffalo Field Office created a Safe Streets Task Force in Rochester in June, providing additional resources to the RPD’s special investigation section.
“I want the public to know the execution of these 24 search warrants isn’t the end of the investigation,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “These investigations continue, these law enforcement agencies continue to help our office put together the cases and they work through these cases all the way until conviction and sentencing.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Police announce 22 arrests in Rochester drug probe
