Seven people were arrested after law enforcement officers allegedly uncovered an active fentanyl packaging operation inside a sixth-floor apartment in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx on Tuesday night, authorities said.
Investigators recovered approximately four kilograms or about eight pounds of fentanyl mixtures with an estimated street value of more than $1 million, according to the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Tens of thousands of individual glassine envelopes were also found, some stamped with the words “Game of Death.”
The seven defendants were arraigned Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court on charges contained in two criminal complaints filed by the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office. The charges include criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first, second and third degrees and criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree. Authorities said the investigation was conducted by the DEA New York Drug Task Force Division, with assistance from the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Investigators Unit.
Filled glassines.Photo Credit: DEA New York Task Force Division
“I commend the detectives, agents and investigators who upended the ‘Game of Death’ fentanyl packaging operation in a sixth-floor apartment building near the Bronx River Drive on Tuesday evening,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said. “Shutting down an operation with mill workers fully equipped to fill tens of thousands of small glassine bags with fentanyl for street sales undoubtedly saved precious lives.”
According to prosecutors, investigators were conducting surveillance outside 3940 Bronx Blvd on Tuesday as part of a fentanyl trafficking investigation. They allegedly observed Exander Rodriguez-Santos and Juan Burgos leaving the building. Rodriquez-Santos allegedly carried a brown paper bag into a Honda CRV before the pair entered the vehicle.
Investigators stopped the vehicle and allegedly recovered suspected narcotics and a key to the Bronx Boulevard apartment from Rodriguez-Santos. Officers then entered the apartment and found four men and one woman who prosecutors described as alleged mill workers.
After obtaining a search warrant, investigators searched the apartment and allegedly found fentanyl, four glass tables equipped with grinders, strainers and scales, as well as other packaging materials. Authorities also reported finding cutting agents, masks, air purifiers, stamps, ink pads, empty glassines and paper shredders. Also, Narcan was found taped to a wall.
In addition to Rodriguez-Santos and Burgos, the defendants are Luis Urena-Rodriguez, Nelson Hiciano, Cesar Castellano, Jenny Antonio and Juan Almanzar.
During arraignments, bail was set for all seven defendants in amounts ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 cash or $100,000 to $400,000 bond.