Operation Clean Sweep Removes Dangerous Drugs From Broome County

Today, May 4, 2026, Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar and District Attorney Paul Battisti joined with Craig Tremaroli from the Albany Field Office of the FBI and First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III for an announcement of major drug and firearm seizures in Broome County.

All of this has been removed from the street because Broome County law enforcement is collaborating with our federal, state and local partners. We have incredible members of law enforcement here in Broome County and every day this collaboration gets stronger. - Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti 

This effort was a collaborative operation between federal, state, and local agencies. It led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms over the past year in Broome County, according to the report.

The interagency partnership of Operation Clean Sweep should send a clear message to those who continue to peddle poison in our community, to those who possess illegal firearms, and to those who choose violence and put the lives of our community members in danger in Broome County...we are coming for you, and you will be held accountable. Our community demands it. - Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar

It was announced that 'Operation Clean Sweep' led to the seizure of 475 grams of fentanyl, 63 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.374 kilograms of liquid methadone, 350 grams of crack cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 2.6 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, 400 pounds of marijuana and THC products, and the seizure of 20 illegally possessed firearms.

Since I was appointed to lead this Office on March 17, 2025, one of my top priorities has been improving and solidifying the collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement in this District, because this collaboration saves lives. I have worked tirelessly to achieve that goal and ensure that none of the 32 counties we serve was left behind in the process. This is no truer than in Broome County, where the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff and the dedicated members of state and local law enforcement finally after 5 long agonizing years of ‘social justice,’ e.g., ‘bail reform’ legislation that stripped away law enforcements ability to investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute violent criminals with the help of my office and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Department of Justice, our law enforcement partners in the Northern District of New York can once again use every legal tool at their disposal compliments of the U.S. Department of Justice to once again maximize its ability to protect the public from those who possess illegal firearms, traffic illegal drugs that destroy lives, families, and communities. - First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III

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