Joint investigation results in 21 arrests tied to multi-state drug trafficking organization

Twenty-one members of a New York-based drug trafficking organization were indicted Dec. 27 following a 12-month wiretap investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Violent Gang Unit (VGU).

The individual face a range of charges, including first-, second-, and third-degree sale of a controlled substances; first-, second-, and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance; and second- and fourth-degree conspiracy, among other charges.

HSI VGU, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office all took part in the joint investigation.

“These individuals are alleged to have trafficked large quantities of highly addictive drugs through our local communities and into our surrounding states,” Angel Melendez, a special agent in charge of HSI-New York, said. “Our neighborhoods have been plagued with opioid addictions, and we will continue joint law enforcement efforts with the NYPD in order to rid our streets of the dealers and traffickers of these deadly drugs.”

The wiretap investigation allegedly revealed that two of the defendants — Mario Martinez, 46, and Joan Velez, 36 — trafficked and distributed narcotics in New York City, New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Authorities seized more than 10 kilograms of heroin, various amounts of crack-cocaine, $20,000 in cash and three firearms.

“These narcotics traffickers operated an organized criminal network through which major quantities of illicit and potentially deadly drugs infected the streets of the Bronx during a period in which opioid-related deaths have been reaching epidemic levels,” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said. “Through major cases like this one, the NYPD, along with our law enforcement and prosecution partners, continues to focus on the source and supply of illegal drugs and together we are committed to bring these criminals to justice.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said the year-long investigation had succeeded in dismantling a “major drug organization” and would result in more than 100 criminal charges.

“Two of the defendants are charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker and could face life behind bars,” Clark said. “The defendants allegedly peddled heroin and cocaine throughout the Bronx, spreading their operation to two other states. We will go wherever our investigation leads to make our borough safe and with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue and prosecute those doing harm to our communities.”