30 arrested after drugs, guns seized from Orange County food truck after 6-month investigation

Thursday, May 30, 2024
GOSHEN, Orange County (WABC) -- Thirty people were arrested in a drug and gun bust in Orange County that could be one of the largest in the county's history.

Many of the guns and drugs were being sold out of the Real Spice food truck in downtown Newburgh, authorities announced on Wednesday.

Dozens of weapons and kilos of cocaine and fentanyl were seized on May 21 after a six-month-long investigation.

The food truck was also seized as part of the investigation.


"The food truck operated right next door to the city courthouse, within 150 feet of the city courthouse, it sold food, it sold guns, and it sold cocaine," said Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler.

Kirkland Salmon, 42, is the owner and operator of the food truck. He is one of 30 people facing a slew of charges that could carry a 25-year sentence.

Police say the drug and gun trafficking ring had a sophisticated four-tier structure and guns were supplied from North Carolina and drugs, mainly cocaine, came from Florida.



Prosecutors say a barbershop served as a stash house for some of the proceeds. It's estimated the enterprise made over $3 million a year.

Nearly 40 different law enforcement agencies partnered in the investigation, including the ATF and NYPD which had some of its undercover officers make purchases.

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