$4M worth of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl found in NYC pizzeria, weighing over 100 lbs.
OAN Reporter Uncovers Major Drug Ring Operating Out of Bronx Pizzeria
Police officials have accused three men of running a drug ring out of a pizzeria in the Bronx borough of New York City, following the seizure of over 100 pounds of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics from the establishment.
The estimated value of the seized drugs is a staggering $4 million, according to police.
Authorities released a statement on Monday, revealing that Mexzzarella Pizzeria, located across the street from a public elementary school, was being used as a front by the accused drug traffickers Gaudencio Rosendo Perez, Zulema Cardenas Espinoza, and Alexander Samboy.
“This drug trafficking organization was cooking up more than pizza in the Bronx,” said Frank Tarentino, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s New York division.
During a search of the pizzeria on October 19th, local, state, and federal law enforcement officials discovered 42 kilograms of suspected cocaine, a kilogram of heroin and fentanyl, 1,000 glassine envelopes containing more fentanyl and Oxycodone, additional large rocks of cocaine, and approximately 100 vials of crack cocaine.
Officials stated that they had been monitoring the trio and witnessed them entering and exiting the pizzeria with backpacks and bags on the day of the raid.
After Alexander Samboy drove away in a silver Subaru Impreza with Connecticut registration plates, he was stopped by police on Metcalf Avenue. Investigators found five kilograms of cocaine branded “R2” and wrapped in black tape during a traffic check, according to the statement.
Perez and Espinoza were apprehended by agents and task force officers at the restaurant. Additionally, authorities discovered a kilo press and nearly $40,000 in the basement.
Authorities also revealed that the crack vials were strategically placed near the pizza counter for easy sales.
“The large stash of cocaine found in the basement of Mexzzarella Pizza is very significant because it had the potential to supply drug networks throughout the Northeast,” Tarentino said. “Cocaine is being laced with fentanyl, which is contributing to poisonings and unnecessary deaths in New York and across the country.”
Perez, Espinoza, and Samboy are now facing charges of major drug trafficking and criminal possession of a controlled substance. They were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, with two of the men receiving $150,000 bail and Perez being remanded.
“This highly profitable Bronx-based narcotics operation appeared to operate as a wholesaler and distributor of cocaine and fentanyl-laced products and was advertised as an ‘inexpensive Mexican pizza spot,’” said NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan. “Our office will continue to work with our federal, state and local enforcement partners to stem the distribution of lethal drugs that claimed the lives of a record-high number of people in our city last year.”
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How significant is the seizure of over 100 pounds of illegal narcotics and what is its estimated value?
OAN Reporter Uncovers Major Drug Ring Operating Out of Bronx Pizzeria
(Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
6:06 PM – Monday, October 23, 2023
Police officials have accused three men of running a drug ring out of a pizzeria in the Bronx borough of New York City, following the seizure of over 100 pounds of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other illegal narcotics from the establishment.
The estimated value of the seized drugs is a staggering $4 million, according to police.
Authorities released a statement on Monday, revealing that Mexzzarella Pizzeria, located across the street from a public elementary school, was being used as a front by the accused drug traffickers Gaudencio Rosendo Perez, Zulema Cardenas Espinoza, and Alexander Samboy.
“This drug trafficking organization was cooking up more than pizza in the Bronx,” said Frank Tarentino, the special agent in charge of the DEA’s New York division.
During a search of the pizzeria on October 19th, local, state, and federal law enforcement officials discovered 42 kilograms of suspected cocaine, a kilogram of heroin and fentanyl, 1,000 glassine envelopes containing more fentanyl and Oxycodone, additional large rocks of cocaine, and approximately 100 vials of crack cocaine.
Officials stated that they had been monitoring the trio and witnessed them entering and exiting the pizzeria with backpacks and bags on the day of the raid.
After Alexander Samboy drove away in a silver Subaru Impreza with Connecticut registration plates, he was stopped by police on Metcalf Avenue. Investigators found five kilograms of cocaine branded “R2” and wrapped in black tape during a traffic check, according to the statement.
Perez and Espinoza were apprehended by agents and task force officers at the restaurant. Additionally, authorities discovered a kilo press and nearly $40,000 in the basement.
Authorities also revealed that the crack vials were strategically placed near the pizza counter for easy sales.
“The large stash of cocaine found in the basement of Mexzzarella Pizza is very significant because it had the potential to supply drug networks throughout the Northeast,” Tarentino said. “Cocaine is being laced with fentanyl, which is contributing to poisonings and unnecessary deaths in New York and across the country.”
Perez, Espinoza, and Samboy are now facing charges of major drug trafficking and criminal possession of a controlled substance. They were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court, with two of the men receiving $150,000 bail and Perez being remanded.
“This highly profitable Bronx-based narcotics operation appeared to operate as a wholesaler and distributor of cocaine and fentanyl-laced products and was advertised as an ‘inexpensive Mexican pizza spot,’” said NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan. “Our office will continue to work with our federal, state, and local enforcement partners to stem the distribution of lethal drugs that claimed the lives of a record-high number of people in our city last year.”
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