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Alleged Local Drug Trafficker Arrested in North Carolina

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A local man accused of being the leader of a drug-trafficking organization in the Finger Lakes has been taken into custody in North Carolina on an indictment warrant out of Ontario County.

According to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, in November of 2022, a large-scale drug investigation was initiated that involved a drug trafficking organization led by Sharif D. Parker aka “Reef”. It’s alleged this organization was involved in trafficking narcotics across the Finger Lakes Region.

On June 20, 2023, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement partners executed search warrants in Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, and Monroe Counties. While conducting these warrants, Parker was detained at his home in Wayne County where he was allegedly found to be in possession of illegal narcotics, guns, and other weapons.

On December 12, the Ontario County Superior Court filed a Felony Indictment Warrant for Parker charging the following crimes: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree (Class B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (Class D Felony), Money Laundering in the 2nd Degree (Class C Felony), Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (Class E Felony) and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor).

Shortly after the execution of the search warrant and prior to the indictment warrant being issued, it is alleged that Parker fled the area avoiding prosecution. A conjoined, wide-scale, search was commenced by the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshals out of Rochester to locate Parker. Law Enforcement pursued several leads, tips, and follow-ups on Parker’s whereabouts which led agencies to locations in various states. After an exhaustive effort by law enforcement, Parker was located at a residence near Charlotte, North Carolina on September 12th. Parker was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Task Force without incident. He was transported to the Cabarrus County Jail where he remains. The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office is working with the U.S. Marshals in North Carolina to extradite Parker to Ontario County to answer to the charges.

“During this Investigation, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Ontario County District Attorney’s Office, Seneca and Wayne County Sheriff’s Offices, New York State Police, Geneva Police Department, Canandaigua Police Department and The U.S. Marshals,” said Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione. “The collaborative efforts of all agencies involved proved crucial in the Investigation and apprehension of Sharif Parker.”

It was noted that further proceedings will take place in the Ontario County Superior Court.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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