A months-long undercover investigation ended with three arrests and a massive drug seizure in Broome County, New York. Federal, state, and local agencies announced Operation Cold Front this week: a coordinated meth bust targeting alleged traffickers in the Binghamton area that pulled more than 30 pounds of illicit drugs out of circulation.
TL;DR: Jermaine Cooper, 53, of Apalachin; Sherry Olk, 40, of Binghamton; and Shamell Tate, 36, of Endicott were taken into custody on October 2 and charged federally with drug distribution. Undercover meth buys in July and September built the case. Authorities seized over 25 pounds of meth, nearly 7 pounds of fentanyl, other drugs, and about $60,000 in cash.
The results were announced at an October 14 press conference by the Broome County District Attorney, flanked by more than 20 representatives of the agencies involved, according to the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Months of Investigation, Two Undercover Buys
The FBI and New York State Police had been investigating Cooper, Olk, and Tate for several months before moving in, according to a criminal complaint. The case was built on controlled purchases that put the suspects face-to-face with undercover officers.
On July 23, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Cooper and Olk in Endicott. Then, in a separate episode described in another criminal complaint, officers working undercover requested narcotics from Cooper over the phone — and Tate allegedly went to the agreed location and sold methamphetamine to the officer on September 24.
What Agents Seized
The haul announced at the press conference was staggering for a county-level operation: over 25 pounds of methamphetamine, almost seven pounds of fentanyl, almost one and a half pounds of cocaine, over one and a half pounds of crack cocaine, plus fentanyl pills, OxyContin pills, and about $60,000 in cash.
A “Stranglehold” on Binghamton
Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John Sarcone III said the three suspects from the Binghamton area were part of a drug trafficking organization that had a “stranglehold” on the Binghamton area. FBI Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli drove the point home at the podium, saying of the seized drugs that they were hurting the community while the traffickers made a living off them — and that ends now.
The Broome County District Attorney struck a similar tone, telling the assembled officers and reporters that the team was laser focused on the safety and security of the community and would stop at nothing within the confines of the law when public safety is at risk.
What’s Next for the Three Defendants
The charges are federal, and they carry serious weight: a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. All three are currently in custody pending trial in federal court.
The Cold Front announcement comes just five months after the same coalition of agencies announced the results of “Operation Clean Sweep,” a year-long joint effort that seized hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms across Broome County. Sarcone vowed the pressure would not let up, saying investigators would keep going relentlessly until the county is rid of drug traffickers and violent criminals.
Featured image: methamphetamine seized by law enforcement — Hearst Television photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in Operation Cold Front?
Three people were taken into custody on October 2: 53-year-old Jermaine Cooper of Apalachin, 40-year-old Sherry Olk of Binghamton, and 36-year-old Shamell Tate of Endicott. All three were charged by the federal government with distribution of a controlled substance.
What is Operation Cold Front?
Operation Cold Front is a collaborative investigation by federal, state, and local agencies – including the FBI, New York State Police, and Broome County law enforcement – targeting the sale of illicit narcotics in Broome County, New York.
How did investigators build the case?
The FBI and New York State Police investigated the three suspects for several months. Law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Cooper and Olk in Endicott on July 23. In a separate incident, officers working undercover requested narcotics from Cooper by phone, and Tate allegedly went to the agreed location and sold methamphetamine to the officer on September 24.
What drugs and assets were seized?
Authorities seized over 25 pounds of methamphetamine, almost seven pounds of fentanyl, almost one and a half pounds of cocaine, over one and a half pounds of crack, fentanyl pills, OxyContin pills, and about $60,000 in cash.
What prison time do the charges carry?
The federal distribution charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life.
Where are the defendants now?
All three are currently in custody pending trial in federal court.
Why did officials call it a ‘stranglehold’ on Binghamton?
At the October 14 press conference, Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III said the three were part of a drug trafficking organization that had a ‘stranglehold’ on the Binghamton area – meaning investigators believe the group dominated local drug distribution.
What was Operation Clean Sweep?
Five months before the Cold Front announcement, the same group of agencies announced the results of ‘Operation Clean Sweep,’ a joint effort that led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms over the previous year in Broome County.
Are the three defendants guilty?
They have been charged, not convicted. They are presumed innocent, and the charges will be tested at trial in federal court.
Who announced the operation?
The Broome County District Attorney held the October 14 press conference, joined by Sheriff Fred Akshar, AUSA John Sarcone III, FBI Albany SAC Craig Tremaroli, NYSP Lieutenant Nate McCarthy, and Binghamton Police Captain Matthew Hodnik.
