Heroin: 6 arrested in Harrison after 2 deaths

HARRISON - Police said they arrested six people for selling and possessing heroin and expect more charges as they investigate the deadly drug that led to a pair of deaths last week.

Harrison police said tainted heroin contributed to the deaths of two residents, 26 and 29, on Thursday and Friday, which prompted an investigation into how the drug was infiltrating the area. Police did not identify the people who died.

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The arrests began on Friday with Rachael Brissett, 17, of Harrison, and Alexandra Derose, 22, of Mamaroneck, police said. They were both charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony; Derose also faces a misdemeanor charge of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Police said they then turned their attention to Jeffrey "Flee" McCaskill, 27, whom they described in a press release as "a prominent Bronx dealer." Police said they believe he was responsible for distributing the tainted heroin that was either injected or snorted by the two Harrison residents who died.

On Sunday, investigators saw McCaskill participating in a drug deal in a minivan on Halstead Avenue, police said. He was arrested, along with three passengers in the van: Bronx residents Diamond Samuels, 32, Deshaun Hardaway, 27, and Justice Sabina, 33.

In the van, investigators found heroin, which was packaged with the same unique stamp found with the two residents who died, as well as cash and drug paraphernalia, police said.

The investigation also revealed that McCaskill may have known that the heroin he was selling was linked to the two residents' deaths, police said.

Harrison police and other law enforcement agencies then executed a search warrant at McCaskill's home in the Bronx, where they found about $10,000 worth of drugs, drug paraphernalia, cash and forged U.S. currency, police said.

McCaskill and Hardaway were charged with felony counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Samuels and Sabina were charged with felony counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

All six suspects were taken to the Westchester County jail. McCaskill and Hardaway are each being held on $500,000 bail; Samuels and Sabina on $75,000 bail apiece; and Derose on $40,000 bail. Brissett was released on $15,000 bail.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and would likely result in additional arrests and charges, including potential charges related to the two residents' deaths.

Harrison police have been combating heroin for months, including a bust last December that netted three arrests. That investigation followed the October death of former Harrison football player John DeFonce, who overdosed on heroin and cocaine.

Police urge anyone with information about heroin activity in town to call them at 914-967-5111.

Twitter: @MattSpillane