5 accused of smuggling drugs into Nassau County jail

<p>Three Long Islanders and two Nassau jail inmates are facing charges for alleged drug smuggling.</p>

News 12 Staff

Aug 8, 2018, 4:26 PM

Updated 2,088 days ago

Share:

Three Long Islanders and two Nassau jail inmates are facing charges for allegedly attempting to sneak marijuana, synthetic marijuana, heroin and Suboxone into the Nassau County Correctional Facility.
District Attorney Madeline Singas said the arrests were part of “Operation United Front,” which included the DA’s office, Nassau County Sherriff’s Office, Nassau County Police Department and United States Postal Inspection Service.
Prosecutors said the operation began in November 2017 when a drug-sniffing dog discovered Valerie Ritchwood was trying to smuggle two balloons containing K2 synthetic marijuana along with marijuana and Suboxone.
The others facing charges include Dominique Horne, 33, of Hempstead, who was arrested on July 19; Christopher Wright, 32, an inmate at NCCC who was arraigned on Aug. 2; Natasha Hyslop, 40, of Hempstead, who was arraigned on July 26; and Julius Eatman, 52, an inmate of NCCC, who was arraigned on Jan. 21.
Prosecutors said Eatman instructed Hyslop on how to obtain, package and mail him heroin and Suboxone inside the jail.
Rick Whelan, chief of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, said having drugs of any kind inside the jail could lead to some dangerous situations.
"Once they're released to the jail population, it may lead to violent acts. For instance, one inmate knows another inmate has drugs and may try to rob him," said Whelan.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said in prepared remarks that “these arrests are a direct result of the hard work and tireless efforts of the men and woman from the different agencies working as one.”


More from News 12
2:02
MTA pushes back start date of congestion pricing two weeks to June 30

MTA pushes back start date of congestion pricing two weeks to June 30

2:11
Temperatures dip overnight; Weekend to feature sun and clouds with some light rain

Temperatures dip overnight; Weekend to feature sun and clouds with some light rain

0:26
Police: Man charged with wielding machete during road rage incident

Police: Man charged with wielding machete during road rage incident

0:14
Police: Hazlet man accused of setting multiple fires over span of 5 months

Police: Hazlet man accused of setting multiple fires over span of 5 months

0:20
Burglary at Manchester Township bagel shop caught on video

Burglary at Manchester Township bagel shop caught on video

1:43
Police: 2 people injured when tractor-trailer crashes into Cedar Grove pharmacy

Police: 2 people injured when tractor-trailer crashes into Cedar Grove pharmacy

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

3:03
Rutgers students remain on alert amid uptick of incidents near New Brunswick campus as 'Rutgers Day' nears

Rutgers students remain on alert amid uptick of incidents near New Brunswick campus as 'Rutgers Day' nears

2:25
Middletown street renamed in honor of iconic New Jersey brothers Stevie and Billy Van Zandt

Middletown street renamed in honor of iconic New Jersey brothers Stevie and Billy Van Zandt

0:25
Services announced for US Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. who died at 65

Services announced for US Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. who died at 65

1:08
New Jersey man says his business and family are at risk if TikTok app is banned

New Jersey man says his business and family are at risk if TikTok app is banned

1:09
Workers call out Gov. Murphy for saying there are 2 sides to casino smoking ban proposal

Workers call out Gov. Murphy for saying there are 2 sides to casino smoking ban proposal

0:31
Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

1:21
SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

0:23
North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment

North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment

0:52
Clothesline Project raises awareness of sexual assault survivors

Clothesline Project raises awareness of sexual assault survivors

0:42
Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

2:17
South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

2:28
Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

0:28
Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student