United States Drug Enforcement Administration

A short-term investigation into a fentanyl packaging and distribution operation led authorities to recover approximately 4.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl (nearly 10 pounds) from a third-floor apartment at 2075 Morris Avenue, a five-story residential apartment building in the Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx.

As agents and officers entered the location, defendant Antonio CABRERA allegedly tossed some of the narcotics powder towards a nearby window inside of the apartment. The powder became airborne, prompting law enforcement officers to clear and secure the apartment and other areas in the building. Emergency responders evacuated 14 children from two daycare centers on the first floor as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) charges CABRERA with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, and Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Christopher Roberts, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Task Force Division, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced charges against CABRERA following his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court last night. CABRERA was held in custody without bail being set.

The investigation was conducted by the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force Group T-14, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit. Task Force Group T-14 is comprised of agents and officers from DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York State Police, and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). The NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and HazMat Team assisted, as did the NYPD K9 Unit.

“Once again the DEA New York Task Force Division, alongside our law Enforcement partners, has dismantled another fentanyl packaging and distribution operation operating out of a Bronx apartment building, which also housed two daycare facilities” stated DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “In one particularly disturbing moment, as our Task Force agents, officers, and K-9 “Mulk” made entry into the apartment, the defendant attempted to dispose of the fentanyl powder by throwing it out of a window, exposing our personnel and residents living in the building to this deadly poison. This was not simply drug trafficking; it was blatant disregard for human life and could have become a death sentence for the innocent families living in the building. This operation underscores both the scale and the lethality of the threat we confront every day and highlights the grave danger these traffickers pose to our children, our neighbors, and our communities.”

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “I appreciate the hard work and sacrifice of the attorneys and investigators who identified a drug packaging operation in a Bronx residential building, suspected of distributing large amounts of deadly fentanyl. When officers entered the apartment, the potentially lethal drug was tossed out of a window, prompting the evacuation of two nearby childcare centers. I commend the investigators from our office, the NYPD, DEA and State Police who shut down the narcotics operation, and NYPD Emergency Service Unit and HazMat responders who ensured the safety of children in nearby daycare centers.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “"This case is the latest to show the lethal threat that fentanyl poses to our community. As arresting officers closed in, this defendant in an attempt to separate himself from the narcotics and with no regard for innocent people in the building and on the street, allegedly tossed the drugs out of a third-floor window. It is a miracle that none of the children in the daycare center or people on the sidewalk were injured. I thank the investigators from the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, the NYPD, DEA and New York State Police who joined forces to take down this fentanyl drug packaging operation. May this reinforce in the minds of the public that law enforcement is laser focused on ridding our community of these deadly drugs."

“This defendant recklessly packaged and distributed fentanyl from a Bronx building with two daycare centers, endangering the lives of innocent children." said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD will work tirelessly to find drugs, shut down illegal pipelines, and hold criminals accountable. I thank our NYPD investigators and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office for their diligent work on this case, which recovered 4.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "This investigation demonstrates the critical importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The amount of suspected fentanyl recovered had the potential to cause devastating harm to our communities, and the fact that this operation was taking place in a residential building with children nearby underscores just how dangerous these criminal activities can be. I commend the members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, our State Police investigators, and all of our law enforcement partners for their professionalism, swift action, and unwavering commitment to protecting the people of New York."

During the short-term investigation, agents and officers with Task Force Group T-14 conducted physical and electronic surveillance. They observed CABRERA repeatedly entering and exiting 2075 Morris Avenue, Apt. 3J over the course of a week. On multiple occasions, he remained inside the apartment for approximately six to eight hours before leaving again.

On Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., agents and officers approached the apartment door accompanied by NYPD K9 “Mulk,” who alerted to the presence of narcotics. Agents and officers gained access to the apartment after hearing commotion inside and allegedly observed CABRERA cupping powdered narcotics with his hands and attempting to toss it out of a window. White powder coated surfaces in the apartment, including the floor.

Members of Task Force Group T-14 took CABRERA into custody and cleared the apartment. NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU) and HazMat Team responded to the scene and evacuated 14 children from the two daycare centers on the building’s first floor. No injuries were reported.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., detectives with the NYPD’s ESU conducted a court authorized search of the apartment and recovered nearly 10 pounds of fentanyl. Some of the fentanyl had already been packaged into glassine envelopes that were stamped with brand names in preparation for distribution.

All the equipment necessary for processing fentanyl was present, including blenders used for mixing narcotics, boxes of empty glassine envelopes, scales, stamps, and inkpads. Stamp names included "Black Mamba," "Pandemic," "Covid-19," "Blue Magic," and "Shot."

The results of DEA laboratory analysis on the recovered substances are pending.

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

Special Prosecutor Brennan also thanked the emergency medical responders and hazardous materials team from the NYPD for their quick response.

Defendant                                   Charges
Antonio Cabrera                         CPCS 1st – 1 ct
New York, NY                             Reckless Endangerment 2nd – 1 ct
Age: 62                                       Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 2cts

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