Two Chinese Chemical Company Executives Sentenced To 25 And 15 Years In Prison, Respectively, For Fentanyl Precursor Importation And Money Laundering Offenses

 

Qingzhou Wang, the Company’s Principal Executive, and Yiyi Chen, the Company’s Marketing Manager, Conspired to Import Ton Quantities of Fentanyl Precursors from China to the United States in Exchange for Payment in Cryptocurrency

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Terrance C. Cole, announced that QINGZHOU WANG, a/k/a “Bruce,” and YIYI CHEN, a/k/a “Chiron,” were sentenced to 25 and 15 years in prison, respectively, for fentanyl precursor importation and money laundering offenses.  WANG and CHEN, both nationals of China, were found guilty on February 3, 2025, following a two-week jury trial before U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe, who imposed the sentences.  WANG, who was also convicted of importing a methamphetamine precursor, was sentenced, September 18, 2025, and CHEN was sentenced on August 22, 2025. 

American families are burying loved ones because of fentanyl and individuals like Qingzhou Wang and Yiyi Chen who unlawfully market and supply the ingredients to make it,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “There is no place to hide for those who callously fuel the fentanyl epidemic, and these sentences—which were only possible because of the extraordinary efforts of the career prosecutors in this Office and our partners at the DEA and abroad—prove it.” 

“These executives turned a Chinese chemical company into a pipeline of poison, shipping hundreds of kilos of fentanyl-related precursors into the United States, disguising them as everyday goods, and cashing in through cryptocurrency,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole.  “Americans were dying, but they kept selling.  Thanks to DEA and our global partners, they now face justice, and this case sends a clear message: anyone, anywhere in the world who profits from American deaths will be found and held accountable."

As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

AMARVEL BIOTECH was a chemical manufacturer based in the city of Wuhan, in Hubei province, China, that exported vast quantities of the precursor chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl and its analogues.

During this investigation, AMARVEL BIOTECH and its principal executive, WANG, its marketing manager, CHEN, and a sales representative, FNU LNU, a/k/a “Er Yang,” a/k/a “Anita” (“YANG”), shipped more than 200 kilograms of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl and its analogues from China to the U.S.  They shipped the precursors to the U.S. after being told that the chemicals would be used to produce fentanyl in New York, and then they agreed to supply multi-ton shipments of fentanyl precursors despite being told that Americans had died after consuming fentanyl made from the chemicals that the defendants had sold.  In exchange, AMARVEL BIOTECH received tens of thousands of dollars in payment in cryptocurrency.

In or about November 2022, YANG began negotiating the sale of fentanyl and methamphetamine precursors to a DEA confidential source (“CS-1”) posing as a fentanyl trafficker in Mexico with operations in the U.S.  AMARVEL BIOTECH thereafter shipped from China to New York approximately 999.7 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-AP, approximately 1,002.6 grams of the fentanyl precursor 1-boc-4-piperidone, and approximately 893.6 grams of the methamphetamine precursor methylamine.  

In or about March 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to Bangkok, Thailand, to meet with an individual whom CS-1 represented was CS-1’s boss but who was in fact another DEA confidential source (“CS-2”).  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed AMARVEL BIOTECH’s ability to supply ton-quantities of fentanyl precursors to New York for CS-1 and CS-2’s fentanyl manufacturing operation.  After CS-2 stated that CS-2 wanted a different formula for manufacturing fentanyl and that several of CS-2’s American customers had purportedly died, WANG and CHEN advised they had “a lot of customers in America and Mexico” who could provide technical assistance with fentanyl production.                             

After the March 2023 meeting in Bangkok, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG agreed to sell CS-1 and CS-2 approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors, again in exchange for payment in cryptocurrency.  During an April 10, 2023, video call with WANG and CHEN, CS-2 stated that the approximately 210 kilograms of fentanyl precursors would be used to manufacture approximately 50 to 55 kilograms of fentanyl—an amount that, as noted above, could contain approximately 25 million deadly doses.   

In or about May 2023, AMARVEL BIOTECH, WANG, CHEN, and YANG sent to the U.S. the shipment ordered by CS-1 and CS-2.  On or about May 5, 2023, the DEA retrieved the precursor shipment from a warehouse near Los Angeles, California.  Lab testing confirmed the presence of a precursor chemical for a fentanyl analogue. In an encrypted messaging group chat with CS-1, CS-2, WANG, and CHEN, YANG explained that “New York, the United States, has been strict in checking the precursors of the ‘final product’ some time ago, so for the sake of safety, this time it is sent to California.”

In or about June 2023, WANG and CHEN traveled from China to Fiji to meet again with CS-2.  During the meeting, WANG and CHEN discussed with CS-2 a multi-ton order of fentanyl precursor chemicals.  WANG and CHEN also discussed the need to take additional measures to protect themselves from detection and interdiction of their shipments “because recently American government . . . seized some Mexican group and they followed the routes to China,” where the U.S. Government found “our competitor in China”—an apparent reference to fentanyl-related charges filed in the Southern District of New York and announced in April 2023 against, among others, leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel and certain China-based precursor chemical company executives.

AMARVEL BIOTECH openly advertised online its sale of precursor chemicals for use in manufacturing fentanyl.  Through its website and a host of other storefront sites, AMARVEL BIOTECH targeted precursor chemical customers in Mexico, where drug cartels operate clandestine laboratories and distribute finished fentanyl into and throughout the U.S., including by advertising fentanyl precursors as a “Mexico hot sale,” guaranteeing “100% stealth shipping” abroad, and posting to its websites documentation of AMARVEL BIOTECH shipping chemicals to Culiacan, the home city of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the dominant drug trafficking organizations in the Western Hemisphere and which is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the U.S. in recent years.

AMARVEL BIOTECH also endeavored to thwart law enforcement interdiction of its precursor chemical shipments.  AMARVEL BIOTECH advertised online the business’s ability to use deceptive packaging—such as packaging indicating the contents are dog food, nuts, or motor oil—to ensure “safe” delivery of the illicit contents of such shipments.  During this investigation, law enforcement seized approximately $900,000 in cryptocurrency from accounts tied to AMARVEL BIOTECH and domain names for 12 websites tied to AMARVEL BIOTECH.

In addition to their respective prison terms, WANG, 37, and CHEN, 33, both of China, were each sentenced to three years of supervised release.  WANG was ordered to forfeit $67,168.25, and CHEN was ordered to forfeit internet domain names for 12 websites previously seized by law enforcement.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit.  Mr. Clayton also thanked the DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Wellington Country Office, DEA Beijing Country Office, DEA Honolulu District Office, DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force, DEA Riverside District Office, DEA Special Testing Laboratory, the DEA Southwest Laboratory, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Fiji Police Force Narcotic Bureau, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii for their assistance.

Attorney General James Wins Court Order Protecting SNAP Recipients’ Sensitive Personal Information

 

AG James and 21 Other States Sued to Stop Trump Administration’s Illegal Demand for Millions of SNAP Recipients’ Data to Use for Immigration Enforcement

New York Attorney General Letitia James won an important victory in her case to protect the privacy of millions of people throughout the country who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. In a lawsuit brought by Attorney General James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general and the state of Kentucky, the District Court for the Northern District of California ordered a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from demanding states turn over personal information of all residents who receive SNAP. Attorney General James and the coalition sued the administration in July, arguing that this highly sensitive data, which includes home addresses, Social Security numbers, recent locations, immigration statuses, and more, would likely be shared across federal agencies and used for immigration enforcement, in violation of the law.

“No one should have to fear that the assistance they rely on to put food on the table will be used against them by this administration,” said Attorney General James. “Today’s decision is a critical victory in our efforts to protect the privacy of millions of vulnerable people. I will continue to fight to ensure New York families can get access to the food assistance they need without fearing for their safety.”

Both federal and state laws prohibit states from disclosing personally identifying SNAP data except under narrow circumstances. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers SNAP, has requested that states submit personally identifying information, including names, dates of birth, personal addresses, and Social Security numbers, of all SNAP applicants and recipients since January 2020. The USDA has threatened states with potential SNAP funding cuts if they refuse to comply. As a result of USDA’s new demand, states have been put in the impossible position of either violating the law by complying, or protecting their residents’ personal information while jeopardizing millions of dollars in funding used to administer the SNAP program.

While non-citizens are generally not eligible for SNAP benefits, federal law allows non-citizen parents to apply for SNAP benefits on behalf of their citizen children. In May 2025, approximately 1.7 million New York households, representing over 2.9 million individuals, participated in SNAP. Nearly one million of those individuals were children.

In a temporary restraining order, the District Court blocked USDA’s demand for the plaintiff states to turn over SNAP recipients’ data and prevented USDA from withholding SNAP funding. 

Joining Attorney General James in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the state of Kentucky.

Governor Hochul Announces Results of Enforcement Operations on New York State Thruway Aimed at Persistent Toll Violators and Ghost Plates

State Police Troop T Conducted Three Enforcement Details; Two at Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge and One in Buffalo This Summer in Partnership With Thruway Authority

Troopers Seized 140 Vehicles and Issued More Than 700 Tickets During Enforcement Operations To Ensure Public Safety and Accountability

Violators Owed Close to $125,000 in Unpaid Tolls and Fees to Thruway Authority

Thruway Authority Has Recovered More Than Half, or Approximately $71,000, To Date

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Police Troop T, in partnership with the New York State Thruway Authority, seized 140 vehicles and issued 711 tickets following three enforcement operations on the Thruway system in the Lower Hudson Valley and Western New York regions focusing on persistent toll violators and ghost plates. Drivers who were stopped and had their vehicles impounded owe nearly $125,000 in unpaid tolls and fees to the Thruway Authority. The Authority has since recovered $71,000, representing 57 percent of the total owed, from 20 vehicle owners.

“My administration is investing in critical infrastructure improvements that make our roads safer and more reliable, and by cracking down on unpaid fees and tolls, we’re ensuring those projects continue on time and on budget,” Governor Hochul said. “Just 20 vehicle owners accounted for nearly 60 percent of unpaid tolls in this enforcement operation — money being taken out of your pockets — and our enforcement efforts are about keeping costs down for New Yorkers.”

Across the country, there has been a notable increase in the use of fraudulent or “ghost” plates over the past few years to avoid cameras used to collect tolls without stopping. Additionally, some motorists also intentionally cover, obstruct and deface license plates, or use fake “temp tags,” to make it harder for cameras and license plate readers to identify the vehicles.

• On Tuesday, June 24, State Police impounded 53 vehicles from motorists crossing the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (GMMCB), which connects Westchester and Rockland counties, 24 for unpaid tolls and fees. Troopers issued 231 tickets as part of the operation, including 39 for license plate violations.
• On Monday, July 21, State Police impounded 61 vehicles from motorists crossing the GMMCB, 25 for toll evasion. The operation resulted in 221 tickets, including 40 for plate violations.
• On Thursday, August 21, State Police impounded 26 vehicles from motorists on I-90 in Buffalo, two for toll evasion. Troopers issued 259 tickets as part of the crackdown, including 73 for plate violations.

Troopers focused on suspended registrations, many of which had been suspended for unpaid tolls or lack of insurance, which resulted in the vehicle being towed. Additionally, Troopers issued tickets for fraudulent and obstructed license plates, as well as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, driving while holding a cell phone, driving with an expired driver’s license or expired registration among others.

State Police Troop T led the operation while the Thruway Authority’s Traffic Safety and Maintenance teams assisted with traffic control.

E-ZPass and Tolls By Mail

Motorists can avoid violation fees and registration suspensions by paying their toll bills on time either through E-ZPass or Tolls By Mail.

With a New York E-ZPass, passenger and commercial vehicles receive up to a 75 percent discount on New York State Thruway Tolls (discount applies to E-ZPass NY Tag transactions only). Visit e-zpassny.com for more information or to create an account. If you don’t have E-ZPass, an image of the license plate is used to send a toll bill to the vehicle’s registered owner using the address on file with DMV. You can use the free Tolls NY app to manage your E-ZPass account or pay your Tolls By Mail bill.

Toll bills are mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner within 30 to 40 days of travel using the address on file with the DMV. Motorists can sign up for text alerts at e-zpassny.com to be notified when their tolls are available to pay sooner. Toll bills must be paid by the due date to prevent additional fees. If unpaid, a second bill is issued with a $5 late fee. If still unpaid, the bill escalates to a violation which includes a $50 per notice fee and may be sent to collections after 30 days.

The Thruway Authority has also established an Office of the Toll Payer Advocate to assist customers who are unable to resolve toll issues relating to their Thruway travel through the E-ZPass/Tolls By Mail Customer Service Center. The Advocate helps to ensure that all toll payers receive fair and responsive treatment.

About the Thruway Authority

The Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway, built in the early 1950s, is one of the oldest components of the National Interstate Highway System and one of the longest toll roads in the nation. The maintenance and operation of the Thruway system is funded primarily by tolls. The Thruway Authority does not receive any dedicated federal, state or local tax dollars and is paid for by those who drive the Thruway, including one-third of drivers from out of state.

In 2024, the Thruway Authority processed more than 400 million toll transactions and motorists drove 8.2 billion miles on the Thruway. The Authority’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan invests $2.7 billion into infrastructure and equipment, an increased commitment of $742 million or 38 percent since the approval of a multi-year toll adjustment plan in 2023. The increased investment will lead to work on approximately 61 percent of the Thruway’s more than 2,800 pavement lane miles as well as the replacement or rehabilitation of 20 percent of the Thruway’s 819 bridges.

The Thruway is one of the safest roadways in the country with a fatality rate far below the nationwide index, and toll rates are among the lowest in the country compared to similar toll roads. The Thruway’s base passenger vehicle toll rate is less than $0.05 per mile, compared to the Ohio Turnpike ($0.06 per mile), the New Jersey Turnpike (up to $0.39 per mile) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike ($0.16 per mile).

The lives of Thruway Authority employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on all of those who travel the highway. Motorists should stay alert and pay attention while driving, slow down in work zones and move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The State’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024, requires drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. Safety is a shared responsibility.

For more information, follow the Thruway on Facebook, X and Instagram, or visit the Thruway website.

Weekly News from State Senator Gustavo Rivera

SENATOR RIVERA, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARRESTED DURING PROTEST AGAINST ICE AT 26 FEDERAL PLAZA

Yesterday, Senator Rivera, elected officials, advocates, and faith leaders held a protest against the anti-immigrant policies implemented by the Trump administration and carried out by ICE across the country. Senator Rivera and fellow elected officials demanded that detained individuals be treated humanely and that they comply with recent court orders.

The elected officials also demanded access to the holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, seeking to inspect whether federal authorities were complying with a preliminary injunction requiring them to address overcrowded, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions inside the facility.

The arrests occurred after an hour-long standoff, during which the elected officials refused to leave the hallway outside the lockup. Senator Rivera, Senator Julia Salazar, Senator Jabari Brisport, Assembly Members Jessica González-Rojas, Clare Valdez, Emily Gallagher, Tony Simone, Marcela Mitaynes, Steven Raga, and Robert Carroll, and City Comptroller Brad Lander were among the city and state officials arrested inside the building by federal agents. All were released after about an hour.

Senator Rivera released the following statement:

“This is the first time I’m getting arrested but it is nothing in comparison to what thousands of New Yorkers are experiencing when getting literally kidnapped off the streets or in the courthouse by ICE. I’m proud to stand with colleagues, advocates, and faith leaders who bravely put their bodies on the line to demand that our people are treated humanely and in accordance with the law. 

For the sake of communities like mine in the Bronx, we must pass New York For All. Our state and local authorities should not act as federal immigration officers. We cannot allow New York to be complicit in the Trump administration’s lawless deportation squad that is literally disappearing New Yorkers and separating families without mercy.

“As New York’s elected representatives, we must push back strongly and loudly against the Trump administration's unlawful and racist efforts. Today’s action is our way to show them that we will continue to demand justice, protection, and due process as enshrined in our Constitution for every New Yorker regardless of immigration status.”

This week, Senator Rivera continued presenting awards to organizations in his district. On Monday, the Senator joined Christina Hanson, the Executive Director of Part of the Solution (POTS), to present her with a $60,000 check in support of their management and substance abuse counseling services through the Dignity and Wellness program. Since opening its doors in 1982, POTS has offered a wide array of services to help Bronx residents in need become self-sufficient.

The funding secured by Senator Rivera will help boost one of POTS’ three programmatic pillars, its Dignity and Wellness program. This program offers services such as a mailroom, hot showers, haircuts, and access to medical, dental, and substance abuse counseling services. 

"We are deeply grateful to Senator Rivera for securing these critical funds for POTS. Our unhoused clients are in desperate need of support that extends beyond our essential wellness program. More than a shower and a haircut, these funds will allow us to help the most vulnerable of our clients have a chance at building more stable and hopeful lives. This partnership strengthens our ability to be here for our community, today and for the future,” said POTS’ Executive Director Christina Hanson. 

Also this week, Senator Gustavo Rivera joined Jesenia Ponce, Coordinating Attorney for Policy & Advocacy of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), and staff to present them with a $67,500 check to support their wide array of free legal services, provided at no cost to local residents. 

Since 1979, NMIC has had a significant impact on housing, education, immigration, domestic violence support, and tenant organizing in Senator Rivera’s district. Over the years, NMIC has become one of Senator Rivera’s closest community partners. Since 2023, NMIC's monthly legal clinics at Senator Rivera’s district office have provided timely immigration and housing legal support to hundreds of constituents. 

In a district with a large immigrant community, NMIC’s immigration support services have been critical given the tumultuous immigration landscape unleashed by the Trump administration. In 2024 alone, NMIC’s clinics assisted 150 District 33 residents, 10 of whom obtained U.S. citizenship.

"We are deeply grateful to Senator Rivera for his partnership. His investment strengthens NMIC’s ability to provide crucial programs and services to community members, ensuring residents have access to the support they need to be empowered and to continue to build a strong, resilient community," said Jesenia Ponce, Coordinating Attorney for Policy & Advocacy of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO VOICE HIS SUPPORT FOR THE NEW YORK HEALTH ACT

This week, Senator Rivera joined elected officials and organizations at two events to promote the passage of his bill, the New York Health Act (NYHA).

First, the Senator attended the Bronx Healthcare Town Hall at Bronx Bethany Church and explained the benefits of the NYHA and how it could counter the effects of federal healthcare cuts. This event, organized by a coalition of organizations, also featured testimonies from people affected by the current healthcare system, presentations from organizations such as 1199 SEIU and the NYS Nurses Association (NYSNA), and a Q&A session with attendees.

On Tuesday, Senator Rivera joined the Campaign for NY Health for a press conference along with Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Senator Jabari Brisport, and Assembly Member Dana Levenberg, joined by labor leaders from the New York State Nurses Association, United Auto Workers Regions 9 & 9A, and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, and healthcare advocates from Citizen Action of New York, the Community Service Society came together to demand the passage of the New York Health Act.

This united front comes as the federal reconciliation bill (OBBBA) has set devastating healthcare cuts in motion that threaten to double New York’s uninsured population, force hospital and health center closures, skyrocket health insurance premiums for families, and leave a massive hole in New York’s state budget. The New York Health Act not only protects New Yorkers from these cuts, but ensures every resident has comprehensive coverage including medical, dental, vision, hearing, pharmaceuticals and long-term care, while filling the budget gap created by federal disinvestment. 

“Today more than ever, New Yorkers are struggling to access healthcare and to afford the high costs of health insurance and out of pocket costs. The New York Health Act is a common-sense solution that would guarantee healthcare for all New Yorkers, regardless of age, wealth, or immigration status. It would also protect our state from the ravages of Republican action in DC. We urgently need to pass this legislation to safeguard healthcare from the federal administration's Medicaid cuts and their draconian coverage eligibility changes that will go into effect over the next few years," said Senator Rivera.

SENATOR RIVERA PARTICIPATES IN 46TH PRECINCT'S MONTHLY MEETING

This week, Senator Rivera attended the 46th Precinct Community Council meeting, where he shared updates about his work in the community and his legislative priorities ahead of a challenging year in Albany. He also responded to questions from board members, neighbors, and representatives.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS ONCE AGAIN PERRIGO'S TEAMSTERS LOCAL 210 IN SUPPORT OF THEIR LABOR DEMANDS

This week, Senator Rivera joined once again a rally organized by Teamsters Local 210 to express his solidarity with the over 200 employees on strike at Perrigo, the world’s largest private-label, over-the-counter (OTC) drug and consumer health products manufacturer. The strike began on September 2 and is over disagreements regarding benefits and the company's threat to replace the striking workers. Senator Rivera was pleased to learn that since he joined the picket line, a deal has been reached and the strike has ended.

State Parks and DEC Invite New Yorkers to Participate in Wildlife Day Events

 

Statewide stewardship activities and educational demonstrations held to celebrate New York wildlife conservation on October 4

Activities Promote State’s ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ and ‘Love Our New York Lands’ Campaigns

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) encourage New Yorkers to give back to the State lands and sites they enjoy by participating in events for Wildlife Day on Saturday, October 4. Wildlife Day provides a perfect opportunity to participate in wildlife conservation service projects and educational workshops across the state, celebrating New York’s diverse wildlife and habitats.

New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “Wildlife Day is a great opportunity to strengthen our community’s connection to our New York public lands and the wildlife that makes our parks so special. We’re proud to join our partners at Department of Environmental Conservation and Parks & Trails New York in promoting responsible stewardship and ensuring that these lands remain protected and accessible for all to enjoy and discover.”

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “New York is home to a diverse range of habitats and wildlife that deserve our respect and continued stewardship. DEC experts do an excellent job managing these resources and Wildlife Day is a perfect opportunity for New Yorkers to get outside and partner with us on actions to preserve and protect the incredible public lands and recreational opportunities our state offers.”

Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “The health of our state depends on the vitality of the wildlife that call New York home. By protecting the habitats that sustain everything from eagles and turtles to the smallest pollinators, we ensure that future generations can experience the same wonder and connection to nature that inspires us today.”

Registration is currently open for Wildlife Day. Participants can plant native plant species and remove invasives to foster healthy wildlife habitat, learn how to build bird and bat houses that will benefit a variety of species, clean up trash and debris at popular destinations, or pair stewardship efforts with a birding or nature walk that highlights the importance of wildlife conservation.

Wildlife Day is part of the Love Our New York Lands stewardship campaign – a series of themed public stewardship events that encourage year-round volunteerism and highlight the State’s outdoor recreation assets and the need to safeguard these resources. The series kicked off in April with Canal Clean Sweep, followed by I Love My Park Day in May, and Adirondack and Catskill Park Day in September. These days are organized in partnership with Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the New York State Canal Corporation.  

To encourage year-round stewardship, the goal of Love Our New York Lands is to help protect natural resources by providing visitors with the knowledge necessary to reduce their impact, engage users to practice sustainable and safe recreation, and help all visitors feel welcome while visiting State lands. 

 

This event complements Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” campaign to encourage New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and put their mental and physical health first. The campaign builds on the Governor's efforts to promote healthy living among young people and families, including signing first-in-the-nation legislation to protect kids from addictive social media feeds and shield their personal data from online platforms.  

  

About Parks & Trails New York 

Parks & Trails New York is New York's leading statewide advocate for parks and trails, dedicated since 1985 to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space for all. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York's magnificent state park system and the creation and promotion of more than 1,500 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks and trails. More information can be found here. 

 

About the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

 

About the Department of Environmental Conservation 

DEC manages five million acres of public lands, including three million acres in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserve, 55 campgrounds and day-use areas, more than 5,000 miles of formal trails and hundreds of trailheads, boat launches, and fishing piers. Plan your next outdoor adventure and connect with us on Facebook, Bluesky, Flickr and Instagram.   

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES REMOVAL OF OVER 4,000 ILLEGAL FIREARMS FROM NEW YORK CITY STREETS SINCE BEGINNING OF 2025 ALONE, AS RECORD LOW SHOOTINGS CONTINUE

 

Gun Seizures Have Led to Three Consecutive Years of Shooting and Homicide Declines, Shootings Down 54 Percent, Homicides Down 34 Percent Under Adams Administration

Adams Administration’s Focus on Interagency Collaboration and Targeted  Public Safety Efforts Has Resulted in Six Consecutive Quarters of Crime Reductions, Record Lows for Shooting Incidents and Shooting Victims Through First Half of 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that the NYPD has removed more than 4,000 illegal firearms from New York City streets since the start of 2025 alone. This year’s seizures bring the total number of illegal firearms seized since the start of the Adams administration in January 2022 to over 23,700. This success has helped drive a 54 percent decrease in shootings and a 34 percent reduction in homicides citywide under the Adams administration.

“Shooting incidents and shooting victims are at their lowest levels in recorded history, and that is no accident. It is the result of relentless investigative efforts, enforcement, and the continuous seizure of lethal guns by the brave men and women of the NYPD,” said Mayor Adams. “Every one of the 4,000 guns seized represents a life saved, a family protected, and a community safer. And while we are always working to further protect New Yorkers, our results could not be more clear: We are in our seventh straight quarter of major crime reductions, with year-to-date declines in almost every major crime category, and we’ve also seen drops in hate crimes, retail theft, and crime in on our subways and in public housing. Thank you to Commissioner Tisch and the entire NYPD for reaching this milestone and for ensuring that New York City remains the safest big city in America and the best place to raise a family.”

“Removing 4,000 firearms from our streets so far this year is the direct result of the NYPD’s unwavering commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “We know the dangers our police officers face every time they seize one of these deadly weapons, yet they continue to do this work at a historic pace. Since January, New York City has seen its lowest levels of shooting incidents and shooting victims in recorded history. These achievements come from our strategic plan: following the data, dismantling violent gangs, and deploying resources to the communities most threatened by gun violence. I am grateful to Mayor Adams for providing the tools to get these dangerous firearms out of the hands of criminals.”

The NYPD is one of New York City’s first lines of defense against gun violence, and officers continue to save countless lives every day by continuing to take illegal firearms off the streets. The department’s focused enforcement helped make 2024 the fourth-lowest year for shootings in the city’s recorded history. In the first eight months of 2025, New York City saw both the lowest number of shooting incidents and shooting victims ever recorded in an eight-month span, beating the previous recorded low set in 2018. For the first eight months of 2025, shooting incidents decreased by 18.8 percent compared to the same period last year, representing 123 fewer shooting victims.

Beginning on May 5, 2025, the NYPD deployed more than 2,000 officers to 72 summer violence zones in 40 precincts, eight housing police service areas, and 10 transit commands. During the four-plus month deployment, crime in those zones declined 18.3 percent — more than 400 fewer victims, and included decreases in all seven major crimes. Also in the summer violence zones, shooting incidents declined 47.3 percent and shooting victims declined 43.8 percent. Every borough in the city saw crime declines in their respective summer zones, with Staten Island down 70.8 percent, Queens down 36.2 percent, Manhattan down 22.7 percent, Brooklyn down 11.2 percent, and the Bronx down 10.2 percent.

Overall, major crimes also continue to trend downward across the five boroughs. In August 2025, major crime declined 6.7 percent citywide, driven by decreases in most major crime categories, as well as notable reductions in transit crime, housing development crime, hate crimes, and retail theft. From January through August 2025, major crime citywide dropped 4.5 percent compared to the same period last year, resulting in 3,799 fewer victims of major crimes across the five boroughs.

These successes have been supported by the NYPD’s targeted investigations into violent gangs, which have resulted in 55 gang takedowns year-to-date, leading to the arrests of 396 gang members and associates, as well as the seizure of 236 firearms. These efforts are directly contributing to fewer illegal guns on city streets and safer communities across the five boroughs.

Out of the more than 23,700 guns seized since the beginning of the Adams administration, over 1,500 of them have been identified as ghost guns — unserialized, and therefore untraceable, firearms that are assembled through components purchased either as a kit or as separate pieces or manufactured using 3-D printers. These weapons are fully functioning firearms and often end up in the hands of criminals as well as underage purchasers. Incidents involving ghost guns reflect a dangerously escalating trend — one that the NYPD is leading the charge against. The NYPD recovered 17 ghost guns in 2018, 48 in 2019, 150 in 2020, 263 in 2021, 585 in 2022, 394 in 2023, 438 in 2024, and already 199 so far in 2025.

In July 2024, Mayor Adams led a charge supporting an effort urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold commonsense ghost gun regulations. Along with Mayors Against Illegal Guns and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., Mayor Adams announced the filing of an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Garland v. VanDerStok, in support of federal regulations issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that require ghost gun parts to have serial numbers and compel background checks for prospective buyers of ghost gun home-assembly kits.  

Every firearm taken off a city street is only one part of the equation. Ensuring meaningful consequences for the small percentage of New Yorkers who carry illegal firearms and commit acts of violence is equally critical. The 2019 state legislative changes to discovery were necessary to improve the fairness of the criminal justice system, however, some of the consequences have crippled the system, leading to case dismissals for technical violations and increased case processing times, including for firearm charges. Prior to discovery reform, local district attorneys declined to prosecute or dismissed 32 percent of non-violent felony cases in New York City — that number increased to nearly 52 percent in 2024.

Ending gun violence continues to be Mayor Adams’ top priority. In his first month in office, in January 2022, Mayor Adams released the “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” which laid out his priorities to immediately address the crisis of guns on New York City streets. Pursuant to the blueprint, in March 2022, the NYPD launched its Neighborhood Safety Teams to focus on gun violence prevention in areas that account for a disproportionate amount of citywide shootings.

Mayor Adams’ comprehensive gun violence strategy also includes upstream solutions guided by the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force he established in June 2022, which focuses on diversion programs, prevention efforts, and expanded opportunities for young people — all targeting the root causes of gun violence to ensure a safer environment for all New Yorkers. The task force’s commitments are formalized in the “Blueprint for Community Safety,” an investment of nearly $500 million to create safer, more resilient communities, with a focus on intervention and prevention.

The Adams administration also leads the Gun Violence Strategies Partnership, a 30+ multi-agency law enforcement partnership focused on strengthening investigations and prosecutions of the most severe gun offenders who drive violence in New York City. Members of the team meet every weekday morning to review felony gun violence arrests from the previous 24 hours and share intelligence to ensure perpetrators are held accountable and New Yorkers are kept safe. The partnership reviewed more than 700 cases in 2024, resulting in 85.5 percent of individuals being held on bail or remanded.

This announcement continues to build on Mayor Adams’ “End the Culture of Anything Goes” campaign, which highlights the work the administration has done to date to change the culture and laws that prevented people with severe mental illness from getting the help they needed, while simultaneously making the investments necessary to support outreach, harm reduction, wraparound services, and housing — all in an effort to make lasting impacts in lives and communities. Mayor Adams is bringing the same energy and approach that proved to be successful in carving a new path to help people with severe mental illness to address other health crises, like gun violence, playing out on city streets.