A former NYPD detective was arrested as part of a drug ring accused of distributing narcotics across New York City, with investigators uncovering a cache of illegal firearms in his home, law enforcement officials announced this week.
Philip Pietrunti, 60, a retired member of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit, was among four individuals charged in the operation that allegedly funneled fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine from Manhattan to Staten Island. The arrests followed a six-month wiretap investigation that culminated in raids last week.
Firearms and Drugs Seized
Authorities discovered at least 13 unlicensed guns inside Pietrunti’s residence, according to the New York Post. The Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office described the haul as “a small army’s worth of illegal firearms” that jeopardized public safety.
During searches of other suspects’ homes, police reportedly found large quantities of narcotics including fentanyl, crack cocaine, and heroin. A pill-pressing machine was recovered from the Washington Heights apartment shared by alleged ringleader Shanta Sawyer, 44, and Sophia Abinacer, 37, where two young children were present.
Wiretaps Reveal Drug Deals
Intercepted communications detailed in court documents paint a picture of an organized distribution network. In one August conversation, Sawyer and Pietrunti allegedly discussed meeting at a Wendy’s to conduct a drug transaction involving cocaine and counterfeit Xanax pills.
Additional calls in October revealed coded discussions about narcotics deals using street terms like “dog food” for heroin and “G’s” for crack cocaine. Investigators observed Abinacer traveling to Staten Island to complete a drug sale before returning to Manhattan, according to the Post’s report.
Suspects’ Legal Status
Pietrunti was arraigned Friday in Manhattan Criminal Court with bail set at $100,000. Sawyer faces $250,000 bail, while Abinacer and a fourth defendant, 35-year-old Michael Giordano, were released without bail.
This isn’t Pietrunti’s first encounter with law enforcement. The Staten Island Advance reported he was arrested three times in 2015, including for allegedly firing a gun at construction equipment during a work dispute.
Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon condemned the alleged operation, saying it sought to “flood our borough with dangerous narcotics.” He particularly emphasized the betrayal of public trust by the former officer.
Source: www.breitbart.com โ https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2026/11/10/former-nypd-detective-busted-in-nyc-drug-ring/