LI Man Accused Of Running Drug Distribution Operation: DA

August 5, 2025 1

The man had enough fentanyl to kill 55,000 people, the DA said. He also possessed a loaded gun, cocaine, cell phones, and more, the DA said.

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A man accused of running a drug distribution operation out of two Holbrook apartments was indicted, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Monday. The man possessed enough fentanyl to kill tens of thousands of people, Tierney said.

Dontel Willis, 35, of Holbrook, was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, among other related charges, the DA said.

“Drug trafficking operations are a deadly threat to public safety,” Tierney said. “Here, the defendant allegedly had enough fentanyl to kill nearly 55,000 people. My office works tirelessly to eliminate the supply of these poisons into our community.”

On July 18, members of the Suffolk County Police Department executed a court-authorized search warrant at Wills’ Holbrook home, as well as an alleged “stash house” used by Wills to store and package narcotics, investigators said.

During the execution of the search warrant at Wills’ home, officers recovered a loaded and operable 9mm SCCY semiautomatic pistol, as well as approximately $9,000 in cash and multiple cellphones, prosecutors said.

During the search of the stash house, officers seized over a kilogram of cocaine and over four ounces of fentanyl — enough to fatally overdose 55,000 people — the DA said.

Police also recovered drug paraphernalia used to store, manufacture and distribute narcotics, such as a 6-foot hydraulic kilo press, packaging material, scales, a strainer, a mixer, measuring cups, latex gloves, masks, and cutting agents, authorities said.

Willis was arraigned Monday on charges of one count of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; one count of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; and three counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia, the DA said.

Wills was ordered held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $5,000,000 partially-secured bond while his case pends. Wills is due back in court on Sept. 10 and faces 24 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe.