The alleged ringleader of one of the largest drug rings in the Capital Region was sentenced Thursday. Michael Howard was in Rensselaer County Court for Daquan Murray's sentencing.
TROY, N.Y. -- The ringleader of one of the largest drug rings in the Capital Region is sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Daquan Murray pled guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance, admitting to his involvement with the Young Gunnerz gang.
In August of last year, Murray and 20 other people were arrested in Operation Trojan Horse, where authorities broke up a drug ring responsible for bringing drugs from New York City into the Capital Region.
And, 15 of those arrested in the sting have now pleaded guilty; the other six have yet to enter a plea.
Murray's 10 year sentence was the most he could have received.
"He admitted to the crime, he admitted to the criminal conduct. He saved the people the bother and expense of a pointless trial. He recognized what he did is wrong, and he's paying the consequences, paying the price for that. That's all that he can do," said Frederick Rench, a defense attorney.
Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a statement about the sentence, saying:
“Violent drug rings harm not only those they poison with the drugs they sell, but also the communities that endure the resulting crime and devastation. The ringleader of this major Capital Region drug ring was brought to justice for the harm he has caused to so many others.”