Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced efforts that resulted in the seizure of approximately $2 million worth of suspected heroin and fentanyl pills and five arrests.
Officials noted the actions occurred following an investigation into a large-scale narcotics organization operating in the Bronx, New York.
“This investigation uncovered an opioid den in the heart of the Bronx,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan said. “As opioid overdose deaths continue to threaten lives, law enforcement continues to weed out those responsible for opioid distribution. This organization had the capability and reach to supply heroin and fentanyl throughout the five boroughs and Northeast. I applaud our partners’ diligent work in the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and at the New York City Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.”
Authorities indicated the work of the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-21, and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office’s Investigators Unit led to the dismantling of an alleged heroin packaging mill located inside two apartments at 2030 Valentine Avenue.
Agents and officers recovered approximately 11 kilograms of suspected heroin in brick form and over 100,000 filled individual dose glassine envelopes of heroin, as well as 500 blue pills of suspected fentanyl and $60,000 cash.
The five defendants face charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, per authorities.
“As overdose deaths escalate, seizing the dangerous heroin and fentanyl before it ever hits the streets has never been more critical,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said. “I thank the dedicated investigators and attorneys who worked on this case.”