United States Drug Enforcement Administration

NEW YORK - A months-long investigation culminated in the seizure of approximately 13 kilograms of alleged heroin (28 pounds), three guns and ammunition from an apartment used as a drug stash house in the North Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. Two individuals were apprehended after initially evading arrest. The heroin recovered in this case carries a street value of approximately $4 million.

Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, and New York City Police Commissioner Dermot F. Shea announced the arrests of HARRIS WILSON SANCHEZ and HINGUENBERT DELEON, who were arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court over the weekend.

At approximately 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2021, agents and officers with DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad New York (TDS-NY) conducted a court-authorized search at 5775 Mosholu Avenue, Apartment 3E, in North Riverdale and recovered 12 brick-shaped packages and one cylindrical package from a storage container in a bedroom closet. A field test indicated the powdery substance inside the packages was heroin.

Also inside the closet was a metal case containing three pistols, one of them loaded. Agents and officers recovered a money-counter and over 200 cartridges of ammunition of various calibers from the bedroom. A kilo press, used in the packaging of narcotics, was also found in the apartment, along with a small quantity of alleged cocaine and some cash.

TDS-NY is comprised of members of the DEA, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), the New York State Health Department’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) and the New York Air National Guard.

In the hours leading up to the court authorized search, agents and officers were conducting surveillance in the vicinity of 5775 Mosholu Avenue, a six-story residential building. Surveillance teams observed WILSON SANCHEZ, who was carrying a bag, enter a 2021 Volkswagen Touareg SUV at approximately 3 p.m. DELEON was already inside the vehicle. Agents and officers recognized the pair from more than a month of prior surveillance, during which time the men were seen going in and out of the apartment building. The men drove off and members of TDS-NY followed. When officers attempted to stop the SUV, the vehicle sped away.

After WILSON SANCHEZ and DELEON eluded arrest, surveillance continued at 5775 Mosholu Avenue, and members of TDS-NY worked with the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) to obtain a court-authorized search warrant for Apartment 3E, a suspected drug stash location.

WILSON SANCHEZ and DELEON returned to the area shortly after 6 p.m. Members of TDS-NY placed the two men under arrest. WILSON SANCHEZ was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service since 2013. A DEA agent recovered a set of keys from him and discovered that they fit the lock of 5775 Mosholu Avenue, Apartment 3E. Members of TDS-NY obtained court authorization to search the apartment shortly before 8 p.m.

A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges WILSON SANCHEZ and DELEON with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Third and Seventh Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees and Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The results of DEA Laboratory analysis on the narcotics in this case are pending. DEA estimates the street value of the narcotics at approximately $4 million.

“Illegal drugs continue to threaten lives at record pace,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan. “As guns are continually recovered in our investigations, it is evidently clear that gun violence and drug trafficking are two public safety threats that go hand in hand. I applaud the NYC Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad-New York for their hard work to make our streets safer.”

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad-New York, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and commended SNP’s Trial Division and the NYPD for their work on the case.
 
“Gun violence and deadly drugs are claiming far too many lives in our city,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan. “Taking guns and dangerous drugs off the street are top priorities and I commend the excellent investigative work and quick response of our office and law enforcement partners.”

“The crime and violence associated with narcotics is relentlessly investigated by the NYPD and its law enforcement partners, to prevent New Yorkers from becoming victims. I commend our investigators and the prosecutors in the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York City for their work in this case and for tirelessly fighting this scourge with every tool at our disposal,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea.

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

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