Police apprehended many people after discovering three fentanyl packing mills operating out of apartment buildings in Washington Heights, Mount Eden, and Belmont, according to the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office.
According to authorities, almost 90 pounds of fentanyl, more than $30,000 in cash, and two loaded firearms were recovered during raids of three apartments in April. Agents and investigators uncovered fentanyl packaging equipment such as glassine envelopes, scales, presses, blenders, and branding stamps.
Following the inquiry, eight individuals between the ages of 20 and 72 have been charged. According to the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, Gerardo Rivera, 50, Hilisu Garcia, 29, and Samir Tejada Almanzar, 20, are all from New York and are accused of running the Washington Heights packing mill.
The three suspects are charged with 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 authorities, the Belmont packing mill was allegedly controlled by three Bronx residents and one from Yonkers. The accused are Hector Tavarez (38), Jose Hidalgo (25), Neriy Vlerio (31), and Hector Tavarez Negrin (72). All four are charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first and third degree.
The Belmont packing mill was allegedly controlled by Leocadio Nunez-Olivares, 38, of New York, according to investigators. He is also charged with 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.”
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