United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Four defendants were arrested following a long-term investigation into a drug delivery service that operated out of a luxury apartment building in the Bronx, and distributed cocaine in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn. Approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine (over 22 pounds) carrying a street value of up to $250,000 were recovered during a series of court authorized searches of an apartment and three vehicles on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

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, 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 late on Sunday and yesterday.

“Once again, we see the determination and lengths individuals will go to by using their luxury apartment building as the base of operations for their drug distribution network, sending delivery drivers across our city to distribute their poison,” said DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “The seizure of thousands of vials of cocaine, all prepackaged and ready for distribution, along with the recovery of 2 firearms, highlights the danger these individuals posed to both their neighbors and the surrounding community. The DEA New York Task Force Division remains steadfast in our mission to target those flooding our streets with illicit drugs and the violence that so often accompanies them.”

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “This investigation successfully put the brakes on a drug delivery service that used a luxury apartment building in the Bronx as a drive-thru for cocaine pickups. The narcotics organization capitalized on the waterfront location with easy access to Manhattan and major highways. Citywide investigations of this kind underscore the importance of cooperation amongst law enforcement agencies to address widescale distribution of narcotics, especially by those with access to guns.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “I thank my city, state and federal partners for dismantling an organization of gun-toting couriers delivering cocaine in Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, based in a Bronx luxury apartment where guns, bullets and $200,000 cash were found. It is so disheartening for this dangerous criminal activity to occur anywhere in our borough, including this area that has undergone development. We must be vigilant about stopping these traffickers wherever they pose a risk to our community.” 

“From their base in a residential building in the Bronx, these four defendants distributed copious amounts of drugs across New York City,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “But thanks to our joint investigation, we recovered over 10 kilograms of cocaine, multiple firearms, and more than $200,000 in cash. We will not allow illegal drug peddlers to poison our neighborhoods and threaten the safety of our communities. I commend our partners in the DEA New York Task Force Division, the Office of the Special Prosecutor for the City of New York, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for this thorough investigation, which has now taken down a dangerous drug ring.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “These individuals had zero regard for the dangers they posed to our community; selling deadly drugs and adding to the associated crimes that come with this illegal trade. Continuing multi-agency law enforcement efforts to rid New York of drug trafficking is imperative and not taken lightly. We are committed to working together with our partners to ensure that those who profit from the sale of dangerous, illegal drugs will be held fully accountable for their actions.”

The long-term investigation was conducted by the DEA New York Task Force Division (NYTFD), Group T-42, comprised of agents and investigators with DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York State Police. Members of NYTDF Group T-42 conducted physical and electronic surveillance, and court authorized searches of three vehicles and an apartment located at 5 Lincoln Avenue, Apt. 1201. 

During the investigation, Ermes JIMENEZ, a resident of 5 Lincoln Avenue, Apt. 1201, allegedly provided large quantities of cocaine to drug delivery service drivers on a weekly basis. The large, 26-story building, known as the Lincoln at Bankside, is located on the Harlem River, next to Bruckner Boulevard and the Third Avenue Bridge to Manhattan. Agents and officers observed the cars pulling into the building’s semi-circular driveway. JIMENEZ allegedly carried weighted bags from his apartment to the vehicles. Agents and officers observed narcotics transactions allegedly conducted by the drug delivery service in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.

Early in the morning on Sunday, at approximately 12:15 a.m., members of NYTFD Group T-42 observed a 2021 black Mazda park in the vicinity of 5 Lincoln Avenue. JIMENEZ exited his residence and allegedly entered the front passenger seat of the Mazda. Agents and investigators arrested both JIMENEZ and the driver, defendant Eddy RUIZ-DE LA ROSA. Later that day, a court authorized search of the Mazda yielded approximately 800 grams of cocaine packaged inside vials and thousands of dollars in cash from a hidden trap compartment.

Soon after stopping the first car, agents and investigators observed defendant Jonathan RIVERA in front of 5 Lincoln Avenue in the driver’s seat of a 2024 black Toyota RAV4 at 12:42 a.m. A subsequent court authorized of the Toyota search yielded approximately 300 grams of cocaine packaged inside vials, a Glock handgun, and thousands of dollars cash from a trap compartment.

At approximately 6 a.m., agents and officers conducted a court authorized search of 5 Lincoln Avenue, Apt. 1201, and recovered more than 1,000 vials of cocaine similar to those found in the vehicles, as well as a loaded Sig Sauer firearm with an additional loaded magazine, a loaded magazine for a Glock firearm, boxes of ammunition, and a bullet proof vest. Approximately $200,000 cash was also seized, along with two money counting machines, one of which was switched on. 

A fourth arrest resulting from the investigation occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Fulton Street and Grant Street in Brooklyn. Investigators stopped defendant Jordan MACHUCA in a 2018 blue Honda Accord. The agents and officers conducted a court authorized search of the Honda and recovered approximately 800 grams of cocaine packaged inside vials and thousands of dollars in cash in a hidden compartment. 

All four defendants are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees. JIMENEZ and RIVERA each face the additional charge of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. During the arraignments in Manhattan Criminal Court, bail was set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond for RIVERA, $100,000 cash or $150,000 bond for RUIZ, and $25,000 cash or $75,000 bond for MACHUCA and JIMENEZ.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and commended SNP’s Trial Division, the DEA’s New York Task Force Division, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their work on the investigation.

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

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