Suffolk Reporter

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 following 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.”

According to the investigation, from February 2024 through March 2024, Kruer and Muhammad, who are alleged members of the “Hit Squad Brims,” a subset of the nationwide violent street gang known as the Bloods, allegedly acted together to sell weapons to an undercover detective. Over several dates, Kruer and Muhammad allegedly sold four loaded pistols, one revolver, two assault rifles, several high-capacity magazines, and ammunition to the undercover detective. Three of the eight firearms allegedly sold were purchased in the southern region of the United States and transported to Suffolk County. The remainder had their serial numbers defaced.

In addition to using an undercover detective, several other investigative techniques were employed including 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 pendency of the case. Kruer is due back in court on September 23, 2024. If convicted on all charges he faces up to 25 years in prison. He is being represented by the Suffolk County Legal Aid Society.

On August 21, 2024 Muhammad was also arraigned on similar charges before Justice Pilewski.