Staff Report
A State University College at Oneonta student was arrested on drug-related charges in a federal investigation into gang activity in Albany, according to a media release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Elijah D. Cancer, 23, of 222A Sherman Hall, a SUNY Oneonta dormitory, was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana, the release from the U.S. State Attorney for the Northern District of New York in Syracuse said.
Cancer no longer is enrolled at SUNY Oneonta, said college spokeswoman Carol Blazina on Friday. Cancer, a senior, had been studying early childhood education, she said.
The college cooperated with the FBI when Cancer was arrested in his dormitory without incident Thursday morning, Blazina said. There was no known criminal activity on campus tied to Cancer, she said.
Cancer, whose street name was ``Sleeze'' or ``Sleezy,'' was among 24 men, plus one woman, charged in a federal indictment unsealed Thursday, U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Baxter said in the release.
The case alleges that 23 defendants were members of Original Gangsta Killers, which has operated within the city of Albany since about 2000 and maintained control over an area located in the South End.
The release said 23 defendants were charged Thursday with conspiring to engage in racketeering activity that included drug trafficking, robbery and attempted murder. Defendants, ages 19 to 43, were identified but specific charges weren't listed. Most defendants had Albany addresses or already were incarcerated.
Crack cocaine and ammunition were seized during searches, the release said, and multiple law enforcement and federal, state and agencies worked on the investigation.
