NEW YORK, N.Y. (PIX11) — A group of people were detained after police uncovered a trio of fentanyl packing mills operating out of apartment buildings in Washington Heights, Mount Eden and Belmont, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office said.
According to police, over 90 pounds of fentanyl, more than $30,000 cash and two loaded guns were seized during searches at three apartments back in April. Agents and investigators also discovered equipment necessary for packaging fentanyl, including glassine envelopes, scales, presses, blenders and stamps for branding.
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A total of eight individuals, aged 20 to 72, face charges following the investigation. Gerardo Rivera, 50, Hilisu Garcia, 29, and Samir Tejada Almanzar, 20, all of New York, are accused of running the packing mill in Washington Heights, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office said.
The three suspects face charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
According to police, the packing mill in Belmont was allegedly run by three residents of the Bronx and one of Yonkers. The suspects include Hector Tavarez, 38, Jose Hidalgo, 25, Neriy Vlerio, 31 and Hector Tavarez Negrin, 72. All four face charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees.
As for the packing mill in Belmont, it was allegedly run by Leocadio Nunez-Olivares, 38, of New York, according to police. He also faces charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, as well as Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “I would like to commend the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who have put these operations out of business, while putting themselves in danger. Too many families have lost a loved one from his terrible scourge of drug addiction. It is incalculable, the number of people that 90 pounds of fentanyl could harm. These drug traffickers do not care about human life, which is why we must continue to root them out. One of the drug mills was a couple blocks away from two of the Bronx’s gems—the Bronx Zoo and Arthur Avenue. I thank the city’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan, DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James for their leadership in this investigation.”
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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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