Surveillance Leads To Seizure Of $8 Million Worth Of Heroin
MANHATTAN, N.Y. - Brian R. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York (DEA), Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly and Joseph A. D’Amico, Superintendent of the New York State Police announced the discovery of a wholesale heroin packaging operation located at 181 W 238th Apt. #25 Bronx, NY , the arrest of three people and the seizure of 11 kilograms of heroin worth $8 million last night.
On June 12, 2013 a team from the DEA’s New York Drug Enforcement Task Force-comprised of DEA special agents, New York Police Department detectives and New York State Police Investigators--- and investigators from the Special Narcotics Prosecutors Office, conducted surveillance of a possible drug transaction location. Agents and investigators observed three individuals carrying a white weighted down bag exit 181 W. 238th Street and scan the area. The surveillance team observed the three individuals enter a black Acura bearing Pennsylvania license plates and drive southbound on Bailey Avenue. Based on observations and information developed during the investigation, officers stopped the vehicle and saw the white bag in the backseat which had approximately $130,000 inside. At that time, agents and officers arrested three individuals in the vehicle; Carlos Castillo, Bladimar Ramirez-Ramirez, and Adalberto Cotts-Perz. Later that evening, a search warrant was obtained by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and executed at 181 W. 238th St. Apt. #25, Bronx, NY where 11 (24 pounds) of heroin and wholesale processing equipment seized.
Defendants:
Carlos Castillo; DOB 9-3-64 / Address- 974 St. Nicholas Ave, Manhattan
Bladimar Ramirez-Ramirez: DOB 11-12-85 / Address- 412 West 1st St, Hazelton, PA
Adalberto Cotts-Perz; DOB 5-8-78 / Address- 628 Carson St, Hazelton, PA
The defendants are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court 100 Centre Street 1st floor.
Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Brian R. Crowell said, “Heroin traffickers are the top priority for DEA in New York. Their greed is fueled in part by those that become addicted to diverted pain pills, and it’s the heroin and pain pills sold in the illegal drug market causing the most harm to New Yorkers. The first destination for bulk heroin in the NYC area, which is what we seized last night, is the first link along a long distribution chain where the bulk heroin is cut and packaged for wholesale which is sold to the next level heroin distributor in the chain. I commend the men and women of the NYPD, NYSP, SNC and DEA who put this dangerous operation, in the act of preparing $8 million worth of heroin destined for distribution on our streets, completely out of business.”
Bridget G. Brennan said: “We’ve seen a dramatic rise in heroin use, particularly among our youth, and I commend the excellent work by the agents, detectives and investigators in this case who seized millions of dollars’ worth of heroin that would have been sold on the streets of our city.”
Raymond W. Kelly said, “NYPD detectives work diligently to interrupt drug trafficking and the dangers it imposes on the law-abiding public. I commend all the members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force for not relenting in their mission to preserve safety for residents of the Bronx in this case and elsewhere, every day.”
Joseph A. D’Amico said, “A significant amount of heroin will not make it onto the streets as a result of the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners. New York State Police Investigators and Troopers, working collaboratively with the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York City Police Department and The New York City Office of The Special Narcotics Prosecutor, used surveillance techniques to identify these dangerous individuals, pinpoint their drug activity and put a stop to their drug operation. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to intercept this type of illegal activity to make sure these types of criminals get the message that this will not be tolerated in our communities.”
The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
