United States Drug Enforcement Administration

An investigation into interstate narcotics trafficking resulted in the seizure of approximately 163 kilogram-sized packages (360 pounds) of cocaine from the flatbed of a tractor trailer by agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey Division. The significant load of narcotics is estimated to carry a street value of at least $4.5 million. Three individuals were arrested, including JEFFREY ALCANTARA, who allegedly met the truck in a separate vehicle and was preparing to tow the trailer, and two drivers/passengers of the tractor trailer.

A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges ALCANTARA, of Manhattan, KARIMZHAN RAGIBOV, of Fairborn, Ohio, and RAYIMZHON BINALIYEV, of Tucson, Ariz., with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees. All three men were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Cheryl Ortiz, Special Agent in Charge, DEA New Jersey Division, and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced the arrests today following laboratory analysis of the seized narcotics by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also assisted with the investigation. 

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “This seizure of more than 300 pounds of cocaine reflects the recent rise in cocaine trafficking to New York City that we have been tracking. It is a dangerous and disturbing trend, especially as we find drugs like fentanyl and xylazine mixed in with cocaine sold on the streets. We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt narcotics organizations, seize their drugs and profits, and make our city safer.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “This massive cargo of cocaine will not be sold on the streets of the city, thanks to our partners in Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan’s office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. I appreciate their continuous efforts to stop drug traffickers from using the Bronx as a major distribution hub, which endangers our community.”

DEA New Jersey Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Ortiz said, “The arrests and seizure of over 163 kilos of cocaine is a result of the collaborative efforts DEA New Jersey and our law enforcement partners have when effectively targeting those organizations and individuals who are poisoning our communities. I applaud the diligent work of our agents and those officers who located this hidden compartment and removed these illicit narcotics from the tri-state pipeline. Removing these traffickers and their illicit narcotics from our streets saves lives and prevents deaths.” 

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “These arrests demonstrate the successes we and our law enforcement partners achieve when working together to take down crime. Intercepting significant amounts of deadly drugs prevents them from hitting our streets and, ultimately, saves lives. We will now hold those allegedly responsible for bringing this illicit load into New York City fully accountable for their actions.”

On August 8, 2024, at approximately 8:20 p.m., agents with DEA New Jersey Division, Enforcement Group 2, were conducting surveillance as part of an investigation into interstate narcotics trafficking when they observed a black Maxx-D Trailer stop in the vicinity of 1591 233rd Street in the Bronx. Moments later, a gray Jeep Cherokee arrived at the location. Agents saw ALCANTARA, an alleged New York City-based narcotics distributor, exit the Jeep, approach the trailer, and engage in conversation with RAGIBOV and BINALIYEV.

Over the course of approximately 10 minutes, ALCANTARA entered and exited the Jeep repeatedly and directed the trailer to move further down the street. DEA agents detained the three men. The tractor trailer and the Jeep were also taken into DEA custody pending a search warrant application. 

A court authorized search of the trailer by agents and officers with the DEA and the NYPD’s Queens North Narcotics Major Case Unit on Friday, August 9, 2024, uncovered 163 packaged kilograms of narcotics from a trap compartment inside the base of the trailer. A search of the Jeep yielded $30,000 cash. 

Subsequent NYPD laboratory analysis of the kilogram packages identified the contents as cocaine. 

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and commended SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau, DEA New Jersey Division, the NYPD, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work on the investigation.