Feds bust gang that smuggled drug-soaked comics, court papers into Rikers

Nearly a dozen gang members and associates — including two Department of Education staffers — were indicted for an elaborate interstate narcotics operation that included smuggling drug-soaked comic books and court papers into Rikers Island, Brooklyn federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

The Bully Gang’s founder, Moeleek “Moe Money” Harrell, 30, is currently in Rikers on a murder charge and allegedly coordinated with his associates, Anthony “Biggie” Kennedy, 34, and Paul “Baldhead” Harris, 31, to smuggle drugs into the jail, prosecutors allege in court documents.

Law enforcement officers recovered multiple pages of a court transcript that had been soaked in synthetic cannabinoids, known as K2, and intended for Harrell, the indictment says.

Harris had also sent Harrell a book in the mail that allegedly had several sheets coated with K2 and fentanyl or heroin, the indictment alleges.

A visitor allegedly tried to smuggle a drug-laced comic book to Harrell May 29 but authorities seized it. Harrell’s cell was later searched and law enforcement found 19 comic book pages that tested positive for K2 and for fentanyl or heroin, court papers allege.

The 11 defendants charged in two indictments include a pair of DOE staffers, Amy Sonnenblick, 48, and Bermon Clarke, 28, who were alleged associates of the gang, officials said.

Members of the drug ring — which spanned four states — allegedly trafficked crack, heroin and other controlled substances using cars with hidden compartments and “trap” houses in Maine to store narcotics, according to court papers.

Drug trafficking proceeds were deposited into various bank accounts, including one allegedly controlled by Sonnenblick, who works as a DOE paraprofessional. She would allegedly transfer the money to her co-conspirators, court papers say.

Drug proceeds were laundered through bank deposits, wire transfers and luxury vehicles, including a $68,000 white Range Rover, officials said.

Sonnenblick, who took home $54,000 from her DOE job last year, bought the Range Rover and allegedly turned it over to alleged Bully Gang member Derek Ayers for use in the operation.

Authorities seized photos from Ayers’ phone of him driving the luxury vehicle, with a red bow attached to the hood, on his birthday Sept. 6, 2019, according to court papers.

During search warrants executed Thursday in Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, investigators seized multiple firearms, cash, drug manufacturing supplies and narcotics, according to Brooklyn prosecutors.

Six defendants — Ayers, Clarke, Sonnenblick, Harris, Kennedy and alleged gang associate Nia Govan — were arraigned Thursday in Brooklyn federal court Thursday.

Amanda Walton was arrested in Maine and Amanda Huard is not yet in custody. The remaining three defendants — Demetrius Wright, Jessica Pelkey and Harrell — are already incarcerated.

The defendants face various charges that include money laundering conspiracy, weapons possession, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute K2.

“This alleged conduct is completely unacceptable and these two employees have been immediately removed without pay pending the outcome of the investigation,” said DOE spokeswoman Danielle Filson.

The defendants’ attorneys couldn’t immediately be identified or didn’t return a request for comment.