Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Caciem Kruer, 26, of Farmingville, and Abdul Muhammad, 23, of Bay Shore, have been charged in a 39-count indictment. This follows a long-term investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department into an alleged gun-trafficking operation run by purported gang members in Suffolk County.
“The trafficking and sale of illegal firearms pose a significant risk to public safety and have no place in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “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 Squad for their tireless efforts to ensure that these alleged illegal guns were kept out of the hands of gang members and those who would use firearms unlawfully.”
The investigation revealed that from February 2024 through March 2024, Kruer and Muhammad, alleged members of the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subset of the nationwide violent street gang known as the Bloods, allegedly collaborated to sell weapons to an undercover detective. Over several dates, they allegedly sold four loaded pistols, one revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Three of the eight firearms allegedly sold were purchased in the southern United States and transported to Suffolk County. The remaining guns had their serial numbers defaced.
In addition to using an undercover detective, other investigative techniques included search warrants execution, audio and video recordings, and physical surveillance.
On August 21, 2024, Kruer was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Justice Pilewski ordered Kruer held on $1 million cash bail or $2 million bond or $10 million partially secured bond during the case's pendency. Kruer is due back in court on September 23, 2024, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.
Muhammad was also arraigned on August 21 before Justice Pilewski for similar charges.