BROOKLYN — The leader of a family-run South Williamsburg heroin ring that took in $1.5 million per year and one of his Staten Island sellers pleaded guilty Tuesday, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office announced.
Josie “Fresh” Tavera, 26, and Jason Collazo, 37, both pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Supreme Court to selling heroin with brand names including “Knockout,” Scorpion” and “Power Hour,” officials said.
“We’ve seen a dramatic surge in the use of heroin here in New York and across the country over the last few years,” acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement.
“The epidemic use of this highly addictive drug is destroying lives and families. Dismantling this ring and holding its leaders accountable is part of our continued commitment to fighting this scourge.”
Tavera was busted in 2015 with more than two-dozen people — including Collazo, who was working as a courthouse clerk — after selling up to 25,000 bags of heroin per month.
The drugs were sold and moved mainly from Tavera’s apartment building at 778 Driggs Ave., the same building where famed NYPD whistleblower Frank Serpico was shot during an early- '70s drug bust.
Tavera pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy charges in exchange for a 14-year prison sentence.
Collazo also pleaded guilty to drug sales, possession and conspiracy charges in exchange for 11 years in prison.
Both men are scheduled to be sentenced on March 7.
More than 20 other defendants charged in the case have also pleaded guilty.
Lawyers for both men were not immediately available for comment.
