The leader of the drug ring fled the area years ago and has now been taken into custody in Ontario County on drug and weapons charges

Authorities have arrested Sharif D. Parker, also known as “Reef,” in North Carolina as part of a major drug trafficking investigation in Ontario County. Parker, 37, was arrested on Sept. 12 by the U.S. Marshals Task Force on an Ontario County warrant.

Parker is charged with multiple crimes, including third-degree unlawful possession of a controlled substance, weapons offenses, and second-degree money laundering. His arrest stems from a drug investigation initiated in November 2022 that resulted in search warrants in multiple counties in June 2023.

Parker fled the area before being charged in December, sparking a multi-state manhunt. He is currently in jail in North Carolina while Ontario County officials work on his extradition.

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