DEA Seizes $3 Million in Fentanyl and Heroin In New York’s Upper West Side
Federal agents say they confiscated 20 pounds of heroin and fentanyl in a raid last Friday of 448 Central Park West #6D, across from Central Park in New York City’s Upper West Side Neighborhood. Investigators say that the drugs have a value of around $3 million.
According to NYPDNews, Drug Enforcement Administration Special-Agent-in-Charge James Hunt made the following statement:
“This seizure alone contains enough potency to kill half of the population of New York City, if lab analysis proves it is all fentanyl. I commend the brave men and women in law enforcement who are risking their lives tracking down this toxin before it contributes to more fatal overdoses.”
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Even incidental skin contact can prove fatal.
On August 4 at approximately 3:35 p.m., members of the DEA Strike Force and other units were surveilling suspects as part of a continuing drug investigation when they noticed David Rodriquez exit an apartment with a large shopping bag containing two boxes.
Rodriguez was tailed as he got into a ride from Richard Rodriquez, an Uber driver. The vehicle was pulled over, and they found Rodriquez in the backseat with a box containing packaged powder.
Law enforcement arrested Jesus Perez Cabral, the tenant, and three alleged accomplices, Johnny Beltrez, David Rodriquez, and Richard Rodriguez. In the apartment, they found two large bags that contained approximately 3 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin from a closet, and 1,100 individual dose envelopes containing powder and stamped with the brand name “UBER.”
They also found packaging materials, $30,000 in cash, and a loaded gun located inside the apartment. The defendants were arraigned last week on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and are awaiting trial.
~ G. Nathalee Serrels, M.A., Psychology
