“Operation Hot Lunch” Largest Gun Trafficking Case

GOSHEN – Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta and District Attorney David Hoovler outlined the multi-agency investigation on Wednesday saying law enforcement dismantled a $3.3 million cocaine ring in the City of Newburgh and other Hudson Valley communities. Hoovler noted drugs and guns were being sold from a food truck 150-feet from the Newburgh City Courthouse and didn’t know they were being peddled along with sandwiches.

“Police officers, court officers, individuals all bought food there at different times over the course of the investigation. They had no idea what was going on there and that’s what allowed them to hide so well,” he said.

Among the agencies working with the Orange County Sheriff and DA were police in the cities of Newburgh, Middletown and Poughkeepsie, State Police, the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives.

Investigation alleged that Kirkland Salmon was at the center of four different conspiracies to traffic narcotics and firearms through Orange County.

During the months-long investigation, police recovered 31 firearms and over 12 kilograms of cocaine, 90 grams of fentanyl, high-capacity magazines, several rounds of ammunition, some $45,000 in cash, scales and packaging materials used in narcotics trafficking, 10 vehicles and one food truck.

“The scope and scale of these interweaving conspiracies underscores the importance of dedicated, long-term investigations to disrupt and dismantle operations that traffic in narcotics and guns,” said District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we have reaffirmed our commitment to keeping our streets safe from the scourge of drugs and the violence that is too often found in the wake. As I have said time and again, if you choose to bring illegal firearms into Orange County, we will find you and we will hold you accountable. We will not rest while high-level narcotics dealers attempt to bring dangerous drugs and guns into our county. We will utilize every resource available to seek out those drivers of crime and to hold them responsible for their deadly business.”