Cops: More Arrests in Long Island Heroin Initiative; Sale to Undercover Detectives Nets Four, Makeshift Heroin Mill

LONG ISLAND, NY – The Nassau County Narcotics Vice Bureau reports the details of four arrests for Criminal Possession of a Control Substance from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 in Elmont.

According to detectives, as part of the Long Island Heroin Initiative, the Narcotics Vice Bureau, in conjunction with the Fourth Precinct conducted an undercover operation in the Elmont area. Defendants Steven Croce, 29, of Franklin Square and Aimee Slate, 25, of Elmont knowingly possessed with intent to sell a quantity of a Heroin for an agreed upon sum of US currency to an undercover detective. They were both placed under arrest at 9:30 pm. Subsequent to an arrest defendant Croce was found to have in his possession 100 white glassine envelopes containing heroin.

Steven Croce, 29, of Franklin Square is being charged with 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Photo NCPD.

Aimee Slate, 25, of Elmont is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Control Substance. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Photo NCPD.

Also on March 17, 2015 at approximately 10:45 pm, defendants Pietro Ciampa, 28, of Elmont and Richard Cincotta, 28, of Elmont did possess and knowingly sell a substance believed to be Heroin for an agreed amount of US currency to an undercover detective. After an investigation a makeshift “heroin mill” was found in the basement of defendant Cincotta residence. Detectives observed several scales, cutting agents, empty glassine envelopes, rubber bands, spoons and packing materials.

Pietro Ciampa, 28, of Elmont is being charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree and Violation of Probation from an unrelated incident. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Photo NCPD.

Richard Cincotta, 28, of Elmont is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Control Substance. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Photo NCPD.

Defendant Steven Croce is being charged with 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree and 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance 3rd Degree. Defendants Slate and Cincotta are being charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Control Substance. Defendant Ciampa is being charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree and Violation of Probation from an unrelated incident. The defendants were scheduled to all be arraigned on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at First District Court, Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.