Breaking: $2 Million Drug Mill Busted in the Bronx – 13 Pounds Seized!
In a major crackdown on illegal drug trafficking, federal, state, and local law enforcement officials have dismantled a large drug packaging operation in the Bronx.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that over 13 pounds of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, were seized in the operation. These drugs are estimated to be worth over $2 million on the street.
The bust took place on November 6, 2024, when the DEA, in collaboration with the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police, executed a search warrant at The Richard Rogers School, a 20-story residential building located across from PS 96 in the Bronx.
Inside one of the apartments, authorities discovered 17 large bags containing suspected narcotics, including three pounds of xylazine, a dangerous drug often mixed with fentanyl.
As agents approached the apartment, they witnessed bags of narcotics being thrown out of a ninth-floor window.
Authorities recovered 10 bags on the ground and seven more on the balconies of the floors below. Laboratory tests later confirmed that the bags contained fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
The investigation led to the identification of Joseph Martinez, 32, as the suspected leader of the operation. Martinez was arrested alongside two other individuals, Juancito Rivera, 34, and Josue Pichardo, 27, who were present during the raid.
The three suspects face serious charges, including first, second, and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as outlined in an indictment filed in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark expressed concern over the proximity of the drug operation to a public school, emphasizing the dangers of such illegal activities happening so close to children and the community.
She pointed out that xylazine, which was involved in a significant number of fatal overdoses in New York City in 2023, makes the drugs even more deadly, as opioid overdose reversal medications are ineffective against it.
The DEA and local authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of the operation and its connections to other illegal activities.
The seizure of these dangerous substances is being hailed as a significant victory in the fight against drug trafficking in the Bronx and across the city.
This drug bust is a reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by illegal narcotics, particularly those involving deadly substances like fentanyl and xylazine.
Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their communities to help prevent further drug-related harm.
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