United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK CITY – Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea, and State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen announced the arrests of three individuals and the seizure of over $4 million worth of suspected fentanyl, heroin and cocaine following an investigation into a large-scale narcotics distribution organization operating in Ozone Park, Queens.

The investigation led members of the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Group T-31, to dismantle a heroin and fentanyl packaging mill located inside an apartment at 94-04 80th Street, Apt. 1. NYDETF Group T-31 is comprised of DEA agents, New York City Police Department detectives and New York State Police investigators.

Agents and officers arrested alleged ringleader Terry Barbour on a felony arrest warrant at approximately 6 p.m. yesterday evening as he approached his Jeep Grand Cherokee on Ralph Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn. His arrest came approximately three weeks after agents and officers apprehended his co-defendant Perry Funchess and recovered over 20 kilograms of narcotics from an Infinity Q70 sedan and 94-04 80th Street, Apt. 1.

On December 15, 2020, agents and officers were conducting surveillance on 94-04 80th Street at approximately 3:23 p.m. when they observed Barbour carrying two chairs and a folding table into the mill apartment, which he unlocked with a key, and then exit a short time later. At approximately 5:05 p.m., Barbour returned to the apartment with Funchess.

Funchess walked out of the apartment carrying a black duffle bag and a heavy gray backpack. Barbour left shortly afterwards. Funchess placed the bags inside the trunk of an Infinity Q70 sedan and sped off. Agents and officers followed for several blocks before stopping the sedan near 106-23 79th Street at approximately 5:20 p.m. Funchess was alone inside the vehicle.

Agents and officers recovered the two bags, which appeared to contain approximately seven and a half kilograms of suspected fentanyl and heroin pressed into brick form (over 16 pounds), more than 50,000 filled individual dose glassine envelopes suspected to contain heroin and fentanyl and approximately eight kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine  (over 17 pounds). Also in the vehicle, agents recovered a loaded AK-47 rifle and a loaded .380 caliber pistol from inside the bags. In coordination with the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, members of Group T-31 obtained a court-authorized search warrant for 94-04 80th Street, Apt. 1.

On December 16, 2020 at approximately 8:35 a.m., agents and officers entered the mill apartment to conduct a court-authorized search and recovered approximately one and a half kilograms of suspected fentanyl (over three pounds) and four presses designed for compacting kilograms of narcotics. They also recovered equipment associated with drug packaging, including multiple strainers, a heat-sealer, scales, coffee grinders and thousands of empty glassine envelopes in the apartment.

The results of DEA Laboratory analysis on the narcotics in this case are pending. DEA estimates the street value of the narcotics at over $4 million.

Criminal complaints against Barbour and Funchess contain charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees. Barbour also faces charges of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

Barbour is scheduled to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court today. Funchess was arraigned on December 16, 2020, at which time a Manhattan Criminal Court judge set bail at $500,000 cash/ $1 million insurance company bond/ $2 million partially secured bond.

A third defendant, Jamal Johnson, was arrested with Barbour yesterday evening and found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected heroin and crack-cocaine. Johnson faces two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and is scheduled to be arraigned today.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and commended her office’s Special Investigations Bureau and the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, including members of the DEA, the New York State Police and the New York City Police Department, for their work on the case.
 
DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan stated, “Guns and illegal drugs have no place on our streets and feed violence throughout our neighborhoods. I applaud the tenacity exemplified by the detectives, agents, and investigators who doggedly pursued and arrested the ringleader of this drug trafficking crew, Terry Barbour. This investigation is an example of the partnership between the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the NYC Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor whose invaluable work keeps New York City residents safe.”

“The 44 pounds of lethal fentanyl, heroin and cocaine, and two guns we took off the streets in this investigation could have claimed many lives,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan “The CDC reports overdose deaths are up by at least 10% in New York City as of May 2020, and surging across the nation. Fentanyl is a major factor, tragically claiming the lives of those struggling with substance use in isolation during the pandemic, when supportive services are less available. Investigations targeting large-scale fentanyl traffickers have never been more crucial.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “I want to thank all those involved for their hard work and commitment to keeping safe those who live and work in Queens County. The two defendants charged in this case were operating in a residential neighborhood, just blocks from two schools. Heroin, fentanyl and cocaine are highly addictive, destructive drugs that have no place in our communities. My Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to shut down drug suppliers who are literally bring poison and death into our communities.”

“This seizure represents another success in our ongoing work to keep New Yorkers from being victimized by the illegal trade in narcotics. I want to commend the police officers, agents and prosecutors for their collective efforts in this important case,” said Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea.

State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, “This investigation halted a major drug trafficking operation and prevented a large amount of potentially deadly narcotics from reaching the streets. This case highlights our continuing commitment and partnership to identify, arrest and prosecute anyone who attempts to sell these dangerous drugs in our communities.”

The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.