United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK - Three large-scale, yet unrelated fentanyl packaging operations were dismantled in the Bronx and Manhattan on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Task Force Division (NYTFD), working with the New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, seized a combined total of approximately 42.5 kilograms of fentanyl (over 90 pounds), carrying an estimated street value of $7.5 million. More than $30,000 USC was also recovered. Two loaded guns were seized from a Washington Heights apartment used for narcotics packaging. 

At each location, thousands of small glassine envelopes of fentanyl were packaged, and each mill appeared to be operating independently. All three operations were inside residential buildings within a three-mile radius of each other. Fentanyl in the form of pressed bricks and/or powder, and substances commonly mixed with it, were also recovered in each location. 

Eight individuals are charged in criminal complaints filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP). The charges stem from court authorized searches in the three unrelated investigations by the DEA’s NYTFD – all conducted within a six-hour period. 

Christopher Roberts, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Task Force Division, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrests following arraignments in Manhattan Criminal Court.

“As we know, fentanyl is already a deadly threat, but when mixed with xylazine, the effects can be catastrophic” stated DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “Thanks to the relentless efforts of the DEA New York Task Force Division and our law enforcement partners, three more fentanyl packaging operations have been eradicated from our communities. For far too long, traffickers have exploited the hard-working neighborhoods in the Bronx and Washington Heights to process, package, and distribute their poison, showing no regard for the danger posed to those who live nearby, including the very residents in their own apartment buildings. The DEA New York Task Force Division remains committed to taking back our neighborhoods. Our mission is clear; save lives, and target those who threaten them.”

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “These arrests and prosecutions send a clear message: New York City will tirelessly track and disrupt fentanyl profiteers who have claimed too many precious lives. I thank prosecutors and members of law enforcement who worked around the clock to disrupt these three organizations. I thank Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their support and dedication.”

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.”

“New York City stands steadfast against those who would traffick in dangerous narcotics, including deadly fentanyl,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. “I am thankful to the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and DEA for their work to disrupt these large-scale mills and join in their commitment to rid our streets of illegal narcotics and firearms.”

“These individuals thought they could turn our communities into a full-scale fentanyl packaging mill, churning out drugs with a callous disregard for human life,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Because of the work of the NYPD, and our other partners on the DEA Task Force, we found these locations, seized nearly 90 pounds of dangerous fentanyl, and shut down these lethal operations. Now, an estimated $7.5 million worth of drugs no longer has a chance to cause harm and devastation to New Yorkers. I thank the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office their continued coordination in bringing these trafficking networks to an end.”  

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The enforcement action announced today underscores the relentless commitment of our state, local, and federal partners to dismantle the networks responsible for flooding our communities with deadly narcotics. The scale of these operations and the amount of fentanyl seized highlight the grave threat this poison poses to public safety. The New York State Police remain fully committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable those who profit from addiction and endanger lives across New York.”

The New York Task Force Division is comprised of agents and officers with DEA New York Task Force Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York State Police. SNP’s Investigators Unit assisted in the investigations. 

Bronx Mill #1: 1560 Selwyn Avenue, Apt. 5J, Concourse/Mount Eden

Agents and officers with NYTFD Group T-23 conducted a court authorized search of 1560 Selwyn Avenue, Apt. 5J, at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday and seized approximately 25 kilograms of fentanyl and xylazine, including multiple kilogram sized packages, bags of powder, and hundreds of thousands of filled glassine envelopes packaged and ready for distribution. 

Defendant Leocadio NUNEZ-OLIVARES faces charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, following a two-month investigation.

The apartment contained all the equipment necessary for packaging fentanyl, including glassine envelopes, scales, blenders and stamps for branding glassine envelopes. Stamp names included “War Zone” and the word “Taliban” underneath a picture of an assault rifle. 

During the investigation, agents allegedly observed NUNEZ-OLIVARES coming and going from the apartment. While the defendant was not present at the time of the search, agents arrested NUNEZ-OLIVARES near his residence in the Washington Heights, at the intersection of St. Nicholas Avenue and 182nd Street, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bronx Mill #2: 2411 Prospect Avenue, Apt. 2C, Belmont

An investigation by NYTFD Group T-14 resulted in the seizure of approximately 7.5 kilograms of fentanyl and approximately $20,000 cash at 2411 Prospect Avenue, Apt. 2C in the Bronx. Defendants Hector TAVAREZ, Jose HIDALGO, Hector TAVAREZ NEGRIN, and Neriy VLERIO face charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees. 

During the short-term investigation, at approximately 2 p.m. on Wednesday agents and officers observed defendant Jose HIDALGO allegedly tossing a plastic bag after leaving 2411 Prospect Avenue, Apt. 2C. Agents stopped HIDALGO and recovered a kilogram of narcotics from the bag. 

Members of Group T-14 approached the door of 2411 Prospect Avenue, Apt. 2C, where NYPD K9 “Mulk” alerted to the presence of narcotics and the team entered the apartment. Afterwards, K9 “Mulk” showed signs of fentanyl exposure and was treated with Narcan, an overdose prevention measure. The apartment was on the second floor of a six-story residential building. 

Agents allegedly encountered an active fentanyl packaging operation and three men inside. Agents secured the location while prosecutors applied for a search warrant, and conducted a court authorized search at approximately 7 p.m. Another six kilograms of fentanyl were recovered, including two additional fentanyl bricks, clear plastic bags of fentanyl powder, and hundreds of filled glassine envelopes. 

Inside the apartment, three tables were set up for processing fentanyl and stamping glassines envelopes with various brands, including a lion with a crown. All the equipment necessary for drug packaging was present. Glassine envelopes were found drying in a hot oven, and a pan of fentanyl was underneath lamps.

The Prospect Avenue packaging mill was located down the street from two schools, a public elementary school and a high school, and near the Bronx Zoo.

Manhattan Mill: 515 West 183rd Street, 1F, Washington Heights

Approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl, two loaded guns and loaded magazines, and over $11,000 cash were recovered in a court authorized search of 515 West 183rd Street, Apt. 1F in Manhattan by members of NYTFD Group T-41. Agents and officers entered the apartment at approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday and allegedly found the Gerardo RIVERA, Hilisu GARCIA, and Samir TEJADA ALMANZAR inside. 

A criminal complaint charges all three defendants with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. RIVERA faces the additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

Agents and officers recovered two guns in a bedroom, including a .357 revolver pistol found in a dresser drawer, and a second firearm, a 9mm Beretta pistol, and two magazines in a firearm box behind a nightstand. Also in the bedroom was a plastic container filled with fentanyl powder and additional twists of fentanyl. Two closets in the hallway and near the bathroom contained bags of fentanyl bricks, powdered fentanyl, over 1,000 filled glassines envelopes, and a pair of kilogram presses.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., and commended SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit, the DEA NY Task Force Division, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their work on the investigation.