Syracuse Drug Raid Leads to 3 Arrests, Fentanyl Seizure

State Police say an early-morning search on South Alvord Street uncovered fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and other suspected drugs.

A Syracuse drug raid early Thursday led to three arrests and the seizure of fentanyl, cocaine, crack cocaine and other suspected drugs, according to the New York State Police. The search was carried out at a South Alvord Street residence after investigators obtained a warrant.

State Police said members of several specialized units entered 115 S. Alvord St. at approximately 5:07 a.m. on Aug. 13.

What State Police Say Was Seized

According to the official State Police report, investigators recovered approximately:

• 8.4 grams of crack cocaine
• 7.9 grams of fentanyl
• 13.7 grams of cocaine
• 2 grams of psilocybin
• Packaging materials
• A substance described by police as a cutting agent

CNY Central independently reported the same seizure totals Thursday night, citing State Police.

The State Police release did not state an estimated street value for the drugs, so no dollar figure has been included here.

Three Syracuse Men Charged

Police identified the three people arrested as Raisaun D. Baker, 28; Starlin D. Lawrence, 41; and Darrin F. Johnson, 30, all of Syracuse.

Raisaun D. Baker

State Police said Baker was charged with:

• Three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class B felonies
• One count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class C felony

The State Police release lists two third-degree counts followed by an additional third-degree possession charge.

Starlin D. Lawrence

Lawrence was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class B felony
• Two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanors
• Criminal use of drug paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor

Darrin F. Johnson

Johnson was charged with:

• Two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanors

All three men were taken to the Onondaga County Justice Center to await centralized arraignment, according to State Police.

The charges are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Multiple State Police Units Took Part

The operation involved the Troop D Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team, commonly known as VGNET.

State Police said the team received assistance from:

• Special Operations Response Team
• Community Stabilization Unit
• Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Uniformed troopers
• State Police K-9 Unit

The agency did not provide additional details about what led investigators to obtain the search warrant or how long the investigation had been underway.

Why the Fentanyl Seizure Matters

The presence of fentanyl is significant because the powerful synthetic opioid continues to be a major factor in fatal overdoses, even as overdose deaths have declined nationally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in July that preliminary data projected 68,641 U.S. drug overdose deaths during the 12 months ending in February 2026, a 12.1% decline from the prior year.

Earlier CDC estimates also showed opioid-related overdose deaths falling from an estimated 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025. New York was among the states reporting particularly large declines.

Those improvements are encouraging, but federal health officials continue to warn that illegally manufactured fentanyl remains widespread in the illicit drug supply and is frequently mixed with other substances.

The CDC says fentanyl can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, making even small amounts potentially deadly.

Cocaine and Fentanyl Remain a Dangerous Combination

The Syracuse seizure is also notable because officers reported finding both cocaine and fentanyl at the same location.

That does not establish that the substances recovered in this particular raid had been mixed together; State Police did not make that claim.

However, federal health authorities have repeatedly warned that fentanyl can appear in illegal drugs without the user knowing it. The CDC has also documented the growing role of multiple substances in overdose deaths.

New York maintains an opioid data dashboard that tracks deaths involving synthetic opioids, including illicitly produced fentanyl, as well as cocaine and other substances.

Investigation Continues

State Police had not announced additional arrests or charges in connection with the South Alvord Street search as of Thursday night.

The agency also had not released details about whether additional evidence was seized or whether further charges could follow.

The arrests mark the latest narcotics enforcement action in Central New York as authorities continue efforts to reduce the availability of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.

Residents with information about criminal activity may contact New York State Police through the agency’s official tip and contact channels.

A Broader Public-Safety Challenge

Law enforcement seizures are one part of the response to the opioid crisis. Treatment, prevention, harm-reduction programs and access to overdose-reversal medication also remain important parts of state and federal strategies.

Although overdose deaths have moved downward nationally, public-health officials caution that the illegal drug supply remains unpredictable.

For Central New York communities, Thursday’s Syracuse drug raid is another reminder that fentanyl continues to circulate alongside stimulants and other drugs.

The case will now move through the court system, where prosecutors will have the burden of proving the allegations against each defendant.

Sources

• New York State Police, Aug. 13, 2026
• CNY Central, Aug. 13, 2026
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention overdose data and alerts
• New York State Department of Health opioid data resources