Rensselaer Drug Bust

Man arrested after major drug bust in Rensselaer

Alexander Luciano

Updated: 04/24/2015 2:04 PM Created: 04/24/2015 12:52 PM WNYT.com By: WNYT Staff

RENSSELAER - A significant drug bust yielded dozens marijuana plants, heroin and other illegal drugs.
Troy police are calling it “the prize” at the end of a very intense, two-month-long multi-jurisdictional investigation.
Some of the items seized were put on display Troy Police headquarters. It was an undercover Troy Police narcotics operation along with Rensselaer City Police and Rensselaer County probation investigators who raided a home at 1466 Fourth St. in Rensselaer.
Inside they found what’s described as an elaborate marijuana growing operation. There were at least 60 marijuana plants, but there was much more -- including heroin, ecstasy, steroids, $12,000 cash and a fake gun. According to police, all of the drug equipment was purchased online.
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In addition, there was also a high-potency variety of cannabis that has a high concentration of THC.

The homeowner, Alexander Luciano, 33, was taken into custody.

Troy Police Capt. Daniel DeWolf spoke about how people get caught up in these type of drug enterprise situations.

“I think it is definitely the money. I mean it’s easy money, although you’re always looking over your shoulder,” he said. “They just become more and more brazen, ‘You know, I’m not going to get caught. There’s so much other stuff going on. They’re not going to find me.’ They try and outsmart you.”

Luciano was arraigned in Troy Police Court on Friday morning. He’s now in the Rensselaer County Jail without bail.

Luciano’s wife and two kids were also in the home at the time of the arrest. Right now, his wife is not facing charges.