SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Two men allegedly affiliated with the Bloods street gang have been charged in connection with gun trafficking in Suffolk County, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Thursday.
Caciem Kruer, 26, of Farmingville, and Abdul Muhammad, 23, of Bay Shore, were charged with 39 counts of drug trafficking in Suffolk County following a lengthy investigation by the District Attorney's Office and Suffolk County police, the district attorney's office said.
According to the investigation, Kruer and Muhammad, who are suspected members of the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subgroup of the violent street gang “Bloods,” are said to have sold weapons to an undercover agent from February to March 2024, the prosecutor said.
On several occasions, Kruer and Muhammad allegedly sold the undercover agent four loaded
Pistols, a revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines and ammunition, the prosecutor said.
According to prosecutors, three of the eight guns sold were purchased in the southern United States and brought to Suffolk County. The remaining guns sold had their serial numbers removed so their origin could not be traced, the prosecutor said.
“The trafficking and sale of illegal firearms poses a significant threat to public safety and has no place in Suffolk County,” Tierney said. “I want to thank our investigators in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the detectives in the Suffolk County Police Department's District Attorney's Division for their tireless efforts to ensure that these allegedly illegal weapons do not end up in the hands of gang members and individuals who use firearms illegally.”
On Aug. 21, Kruer was arraigned before Acting Superior Court Judge Steven A. Pilewski. He was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sale of a weapon (Class B violent felony), seven counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class C violent felony), 14 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a weapon (Class D violent felony), 11 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class D violent felony), three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (Class D violent felony), one count of criminal possession of a weapon (Class E violent felony) and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class A misdemeanor), the district attorney said.
That same day, Muhammad was also arraigned before Judge Pilewski and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sale of a weapon (a Class B violent felony), seven counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class C violent felony), 13 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a weapon (a Class D violent felony), 11 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class D violent felony), three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class D violent felony) and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class A misdemeanor), the prosecutor said.
Judge Pilewski ordered both men held on bail of $1,000,000 and $2,000,000.
During the proceedings, a partially secured bail was posted, the prosecutor said.
If convicted on the main charge, both men face up to 25 years in prison, the prosecutor said.
Muhammad is due back in court on September 30 and is represented by Glenn Obedin, Esq.
Kruer is due back in court on September 23 and is represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.
