Son of Tribal Leader Charged in Predawn Drug, Weapons Sweep

04.19.07

Tribal Leader's Son Charged in Drug Sweep

By FRANK ELTMAN
Associated Press Writer

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Police acting on Shinnecock Indian Nation leaders' request for a probe into drug dealing arrested the son of a tribal trustee Thursday, and accused him of being the main source of cocaine on the reservation.

A dozen others were arrested on various drug, conspiracy and weapons charges, prosecutors and state police said.

Authorities said Awan Gumbs, 26, the son of Shinnecock Trustee Lance A. Gumbs, led the group, though two other men were accused of supplying him with large quantities of cocaine.

Police said some drug sales took place inside the elder Gumbs' business, the Shinnecock Smoke Shop in Southampton.

The investigation into narcotics sales on the reservation began in September after the Shinnecock trustees requested it, state police said in a news release.

Beverly Jensen, a spokeswoman for the Shinnecock Indian Nation, confirmed a police raid had occurred on the reservation but had no other immediate comment.

Police seized three luxury sport utility vehciles and an automobile, as well as handguns, a loaded AK-47 assault weapon, rifles and shotguns during pre-dawn raids on and off the eastern Long Island reservation.

The Shinnecocks' 800-acre reservation in Southampton is peppered with modest single-family homes - a stark contrast to the palatial Hamptons estates just up the road.

For several years, the Shinnecocks have been trying to open a 65,000-square-foot casino in nearby Hampton Bays, but opposition from town and state officials has stymied there efforts.