HIGHBRIDGE, the BRONX (PIX11) — Six men were arrested during a court-authorized search of an alleged fentanyl and heroin packaging mill located inside an apartment in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office said.
Approximately 3 kilograms of fentanyl (over 6 pounds), carrying an estimated street value of over $500,000, was seized during the search at 1311 Merriam Ave. Officers and agents also discovered over 70 bottles labeled as xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer commonly used as an illicit adulterant in fentanyl mixtures.
AnaSed injection bottle (credit: Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office)
Mill table (credit: Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office)
Narcotics on table (credit: Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office)
Sleeves of fentanyl in baby bouncer (credit: Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office)
The Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office said that, before the search, agents and investigators had observed unusual foot traffic at the six-story apartment building, including men repeatedly entering and exiting the apartment carrying bags. Multiple garbage bags dumped outside allegedly contained materials frequently associated with drug packaging, including disposable respirator masks and glassine envelopes.
Their suspicions were confirmed when they conducted their search and found narcotics spread throughout the apartment, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office said. Equipment used for packaging fentanyl was also present, including grinders full of powder, and a suitcase containing stamps and inkpads for branding. According to the the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, other items included a kilogram press and a bag of fentanyl packets inside a baby bouncer seat.
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“Fentanyl has had lasting and deadly effects in the Bronx. We must remain vigilant in our pursuit of those who put this poison on our streets. The taking down of this deadly narcotics operation manufacturing fentanyl in our County should serve notice to other drug traffickers that you will be caught and prosecuted. I want to thank Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan and all the dedicated law enforcement agencies for their work on this case,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said.
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Christopher Gress is a meteorologist and digital content producer at PIX11. He joined the station in 2020 as a weather producer. Chris is a New Jersey native and grew up in Bayonne. You can find more of his work here.
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