United States Drug Enforcement Administration

A long-term wiretap investigation resulted in the arrest of a Brooklyn man and netted over 39 kilograms (more than 85 pounds) of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded firearms, and approximately $420,000 cash from the defendant’s car, which was parked outside of a residential building he owns at 151 Leonard Street in Williamsburg

Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division (NY), New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest following the DEA laboratory analysis of the drugs seized, including over 33 kilograms of cocaine, six kilograms of fentanyl, a small portion of which was colored pink, and quantities of methamphetamine and heroin.  

George CAPELLA was arrested on December 4, 2024, following an eight-month wiretap investigation dubbed “Operation Interstate Powder,” which was conducted by the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) Group T-11, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit.  NYDETF Group T-11 is comprised of agents and officers from DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police.

A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) charges CAPELLA with Operating as a Major Trafficker, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree. 

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said, “The recovery of over 85 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded guns and $420,000 in a residential neighborhood of Williamsburg is startling, even to seasoned investigators. Money, drugs and paraphernalia seized from the defendant’s cars and home have all the hallmarks of a major drug packaging and distribution operation. Prosecutors and investigators put tremendous effort into tracking this drug importation and distribution operation over eight months. Their determination and long hours undoubtedly saved many lives.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “This defendant, who allegedly profited off of the misery of drug addiction and peddled narcotics in our communities, will now be brought to justice. I commend all of our law enforcement partners who worked on this case and made such a significant seizure of guns, cocaine and fentanyl.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said, “Once again, a major drug trafficker has been removed from the streets of New York City, thanks to the hard work of our DEA New York team and our law enforcement partners. The seizure of over 33 kilos of cocaine, 6 kilos of fentanyl with a high purity, and the number of weapons seized, shows the threat Mr. Capella poised to the community, as well as the health risk to those he distributed to. Whenever fentanyl is mixed into the distribution chain, the results can be deadly. In addition, Mr. Capella’s use of hidden compartments in his vehicles shows the lengths he undertook to transport and distribute these illicit drugs in order to profit from the poison he flooded our neighborhoods. Mr. Capella’s actions were not only reckless but unconscionable.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said, “Throughout New York City, the NYPD and our law enforcement partners are actively disrupting and dismantling drug-trafficking networks and bringing those responsible for these operations to justice. I commend all the members of the NYDETF and the city’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor for their exceptional work on this massive seizure of illegal drugs and guns, which undoubtedly has saved countless lives.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “I applaud the considerable efforts of our State Police members and law enforcement partners at all levels for their perseverance in eradicating illegal drugs and guns in our communities. The arrest of Mr. Capella is a testament to the dedication put forth in keeping the citizens of New York safe. I thank the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, United States Drug Enforcement Administration and New York City Police Department for their support in making this arrest.”

During the investigation, agents and officers with NYDETF Group T-11 established surveillance at 151 Leonard Street, CAPELLA’s residence. At approximately noon on December 4, 2024, agents and officers observed the defendant retrieve what appeared to be two kilogram-sized packages of narcotics from a black Honda Accord parked outside of his building. CAPELLA then entered the ground-floor of the building through a door adjacent to the driveway. 

Soon afterwards, at approximately 4 p.m., law enforcement officials saw the defendant leave the residence and drive off in a Lincoln Aviator bearing a New Jersey license plate. Members of NYDETF Group T-11 then pulled over the Lincoln in the vicinity of 80 Meserole Street, also in Williamsburg, detained CAPELLA, and recovered seven cellphones.

After obtaining court authorized SNP search warrants, agents and officers searched the Honda Accord and Lincoln Aviator, both registered in CAPELLA’s name, as well as the residence at 151 Leonard Street. During the search of the Honda, agents and officers allegedly recovered approximately 33 kilogram-sized packages of cocaine and over six kilograms of fentanyl, eight loaded firearms, and one imitation pistol. Three of the guns were found inside a hidden compartment inside the Honda. Agents also seized approximately $420,000 in cash. Inside the Lincoln, they recovered a scale that appeared to be coated with drug residue and an additional cellphone.

The search of CAPELLA’s 151 Leonard Street residence resulted in the recovery of additional quantities of drugs, along with equipment necessary to package narcotics, including a kilogram press machine, scale, and a variety of stamps.

Subsequent DEA laboratory analysis determined the kilogram packages found inside the Honda included 33 kilograms of cocaine, some labelled “MOËT” and “AMIRI,” and over six kilograms of fentanyl, some marked with Louis Vuitton symbols. The kilograms of narcotics were wrapped in various types of plastic packaging, including packaging bearing an image of the Star Wars character “Baby Yoda.” A small amount of fentanyl had been died pink. Laboratory analysis also identified a package of methamphetamine and glassine envelopes containing heroin among the drugs seized.

During an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on December 5, 2024, Judge Rachel Pauley denied a bail request and ordered CAPELLA remanded. 

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, and commended SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit, DEA New York Division, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the New York City Police Department and the New York State Police for their work on the investigation.