New York, NY – A coordinated Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) operation has led to the arrest of 19 individuals allegedly running a sophisticated drug trafficking network inside Washington Square Park, the iconic public space adjacent to New York University (NYU).
The bust comes after the tragic overdose death of 18-year-old Bailey Shaw from Aspen, Colorado, highlighting the deadly stakes of fentanyl distribution.
Washington Square Park: From Campus Oasis to Drug Hub
For decades, Washington Square Park has been a cultural and recreational hotspot for NYU students, chess players, street performers, and locals. However, authorities say drug activity has long cast a shadow over the area. While early dealing in the 1960s mostly involved marijuana, the modern operation has escalated to a sophisticated, organized criminal enterprise.
According to Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New York Division, the investigation revealed that Shaw obtained the fentanyl linked to her fatal overdose directly from the park. “Because the threat was real and caused the death of an 18-year-old, we looked more closely at the park,” he said.
Organized Crime and Deadly Narcotics
The DEA’s probe uncovered two major groups controlling the park: the Bloods Team, a subset of the West Coast Bloods gang, and the Livigni Team, reportedly overseen by John Livigni, a 25-year veteran of local drug trafficking. These crews operated a structured system with managers supervising street-level dealers and shifting resources to avoid detection.
Investigators allege the gangs distributed millions of doses of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine since 2020, generating daily sales of $16,000 to $20,000. Dealers employed cash apps to conceal transactions and sometimes used customers to insulate themselves from law enforcement. In some cases, they even carried Narcan to counteract overdoses caused by their own drugs.
Tragic Consequences
Fentanyl’s lethality has been central to the surge in overdoses. Authorities cited the deaths of Shaw, as well as Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, and Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of Robert De Niro, as examples of the deadly reach of these street-level operations.
The DEA has charged the arrested suspects with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, with records showing these defendants had been arrested 80 times for drug-related offenses since 2020.
Sophisticated Distribution Network
Tarentino described the operation as highly organized. Dealers sourced narcotics from the Bronx, often commuting to the park to sell their product. Drugs were sometimes packaged and dropped on the ground for customers to pick up after paying third parties through apps, ensuring minimal direct contact.
Each crew maintained specific areas within the park, providing “brand recognition” for their drugs, and freelancers were reportedly pushed out.
Community and Law Enforcement Response
Trevor Sumner, President of the Washington Square Association, praised the operation, noting renewed optimism among residents. Capt. Nicholas D. Minor, the local precinct commanding officer, also expressed a commitment to removing illegal activity entirely from the area.
“Criminals won’t relinquish lucrative territory easily,” Tarentino cautioned. “We’ll continue to monitor and act decisively to prevent anyone from reclaiming the park for drug trafficking.”
The arrests have temporarily reduced visible drug activity in the park, according to Tarentino.
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