7 Arrested After Agents Find Active Fentanyl Mill With Bags Stamped “Game Of Death”
Investigators disrupted an alleged fentanyl packaging operation inside a sixth-floor apartment in the Bronx, New York, where authorities said seven people were taken into custody and approximately four kilograms, or eight pounds, of fentanyl mixtures were recovered.
The narcotics had an estimated street value of more than $1 million.
Investigators had been conducting surveillance outside the apartment when they allegedly saw 29-year-old Exander Rodriguez-Santos and 37-year-old Juan Burgos leave the building.
Authorities said Rodriguez-Santos was carrying a brown paper bag, which he placed inside a Honda CR-V before getting into the passenger seat. Burgos allegedly entered the driver’s seat.
Investigators approached the vehicle and allegedly discovered suspected narcotics inside the bag.
Both men were taken into custody.
Authorities said Rodriguez-Santos had a key to the apartment investigators had been watching.
Inside, investigators allegedly encountered four men and one woman working in what authorities described as an active fentanyl packaging mill.
A search of the apartment allegedly uncovered tens of thousands of glassine envelopes containing suspected fentanyl, along with grinders, strainers, scales, cutting agents, stamps, ink pads, masks and air purifiers.
Investigators also found bottles of Narcan taped to a wall inside the apartment.
Authorities said a safe contained additional suspected fentanyl, while tables throughout the apartment were covered with drug-packaging materials.
Investigators also allegedly found a warm toaster that authorities believe was being used to prepare glassine envelopes before they were filled.
Some of the tens of thousands of glassine envelopes recovered from the apartment were stamped “Game of Death.”
The five people allegedly found inside the apartment were identified as 41-year-old Luis Urena-Rodriguez, 35-year-old Nelson Hiciano, 41-year-old Cesar Castellano, 46-year-old Jenny Antonio and 27-year-old Juan Almanzar.
All seven defendants were charged with multiple counts related to criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities said bail amounts ranged from $100,000 to $250,000 cash or $100,000 to $400,000 bond.
Field tests conducted on narcotics recovered from the apartment tested positive for fentanyl. Laboratory testing remains pending.
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