Permits Filed for 585 East 164th Street in Morrisania, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 585 East 164th Street in Morrisania, The Bronx. Located between Boston Road and Hilton White Way, the lot is closest to the Prospect Avenue subway station, served by the 2 and 5 trains. Shimon Neuman of Madison Tower LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 52-foot-tall development will yield 8,569 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 18 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 476 square feet. The steel-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 37-foot-long rear yard.

Mohammad Ahead, PE is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Permits Filed for 1456 East Gun Hill Road in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 1456 East Gun Hill Road in Pelham Gardens, The Bronx. Located between Fenton Avenue and Oneill Place, the lot is near Gun Hill Road subway station, served by the 5 train. Janise Ruiz of Shobro Management is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 13,197 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 22 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 599 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a penthouse and a 20-foot-long rear yard.

Lester Katz of XPdite Group LLC is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Justice Department Secures $400M Settlement with TikTok and ByteDance to Resolve Children’s Privacy Litigation

 

The Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok, ByteDance, and affiliated entities (TikTok) resolving litigation concerning compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA). Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order vacating a prior consent decree entered against TikTok’s predecessor, Musical.ly. The settlement represents one of the largest recoveries ever obtained in a COPPA case.

“This settlement is a major victory for American children and parents,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “The Department's priority is ensuring that children are protected online and that companies entrusted with their personal information meet their legal obligations. This resolution secures a substantial recovery while reinforcing the protections that families expect and deserve.”

“Companies that collect children’s personal information must comply with the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This resolution secures a significant monetary recovery and reflects the Department’s commitment to ensuring children receive the full protections that Congress mandated.”

Since the Justice Department filed its complaint in 2024, TikTok has undergone significant changes to its ownership, management, compliance functions, and privacy practices. The company has implemented extensive measures designed to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls, and enhance parental oversight. Those developments have materially advanced the public interests underlying the Department’s litigation and have strengthened protections for millions of American families.

The resolution reflects the department's commitment to achieving practical results that protect the public. By securing a significant recovery while recognizing the substantial compliance improvements already implemented, the settlement ensures that American families continue to benefit from stronger protections without the delay and uncertainty of protracted litigation.

The Justice Department’s lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The matter was handled by the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch on referral from the Federal Trade Commission.

The claims resolved by the United States in the settlements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

Fentanyl Packaging Mill Dismantled in the Bronx, New York: Packages Branded “Game of Death”

Approximately Eight Pounds of Fentanyl Seized

Seven individuals were arrested as law enforcement officers disrupted an active fentanyl packaging mill operating in a sixth-floor apartment on Bronx Boulevard in the Wakefield neighborhood of the Bronx on Tuesday night. Approximately four kilograms (eight pounds) of fentanyl mixtures carrying a street value of over $1 million were recovered. Tens of thousands of individual dose glassine envelopes were present, including some stamped with the brand name “Game of Death.” 

Yesterday in Manhattan Criminal Court all seven defendants were arraigned on charges contained in two criminal complaints filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP). Charges include Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree.

DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts, Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrests following arraignments. 

“The words ‘Game of Death’ stamped on fentanyl packages speak to the deadly reality of the poison drug traffickers are pushing into our communities,” said DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. “As we recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, this investigation serves as a chilling reminder of the deadly threat fentanyl poses to our communities. Whenever fentanyl is removed from our streets, lives are saved. The DEA New York Task Force Division remains committed to protecting residents all across New York City, especially in the Bronx, as we work toward a Fentanyl Free New York.”]

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “I commend the detectives, agents and investigators who upended the ‘Game of Death’ fentanyl packaging operation in a sixth-floor apartment building near the Bronx River Drive on Tuesday evening. Shutting down an operation with mill workers fully equipped to fill tens of thousands of small glassine bags with fentanyl for street sales undoubtedly saved precious lives.”

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “It is alarming that these defendants were allegedly operating a fentanyl packaging mill using labels that read ‘Game of Death’ across the street from a park where children are known to play. Investigators found Narcan taped to the walls of the apartment where drugs valued at over $1 million were discovered, suggesting that those involved were protecting themselves while working to poison the public. I would like to commend the federal, state and local law enforcement officers whose work to dismantle this operation has undoubtedly made the Bronx safer as a result."

“As alleged, these defendants demonstrated such a disregard for human life that they turned a Bronx apartment into a full-scale fentanyl packaging mill, marketing their poison as the ‘Game of Death,’” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Because of this investigation, four kilograms of fentanyl — valued at over $1 million — have been removed from our streets. I thank our investigators, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, and our law enforcement partners for their work to take this operation down and make clear that trafficking drugs is no game.”

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “These arrests highlight the hard work of law enforcement in pursuit of criminals who perpetuate the distribution of dangerous narcotics and enable criminal activity in our society. Because of the critical partnerships forged, the destructive actions of seven individuals have been halted. I commend our State Police members, partners with the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement colleagues for their hard work in uncovering this operation.”

The investigation was conducted by the DEA New York Drug Task Force Division (DEA-NYTFD), Group T-22, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit. DEA-NYTFD Group T-22 is comprised of agents and investigators with DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York State Police, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

At approximately 3 p.m. on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, members of DEA-NYTFD Group T-22 were conducting surveillance outside 3940 Bronx Boulevard as part of a long-term investigation into fentanyl trafficking when they observed defendants Exander RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS and Juan BURGOS leave the location. RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS, the suspected packaging mill operator, was allegedly carrying a brown paper bag, which he placed inside a Honda CRV. The pair then entered the vehicle. 

Agents and investigators approached the Honda CRV and recovered the bag, which appeared to contain narcotics in a clear plastic bag. Agents and officers took the two men into custody, and allegedly recovered a key to 3940 Bronx Boulevard, Apt. 6I from RODRIGUEZ-SANTOS. 

Members of DEA-NYTFD Group 22 entered the apartment and found four men and one woman, all alleged mill workers, present inside an active fentanyl packaging mill. Agents and officers froze the location while they obtained a court authorized search warrant. 

Shortly after 8 p.m., agents and officers searched the apartment and recovered tens of thousands of glassines containing a white powdery substance believe to be fentanyl. Four glass tables, one in the living room and three in the bedroom, were allegedly set up with all the equipment necessary for packaging fentanyl, including grinders, strainers, scales, bottled cutting agent, paper masks, and air purifiers. Bottles of the overdose reversal drug Narcan were taped to a wall. 

A safe on the floor in the bedroom allegedly contained multiple clear plastic bags with suspected fentanyl inside. Inside the living room were boxes of empty glassines, and a glass table with stamps, ink pads, and other drug packaging materials. A stamp observed in the apartment matched at least one stamped glassine seized from the Honda CRV. A warm toaster in the bedroom was allegedly being used to prepare glassine envelopes for filling. Paper shredders were also present, for the alleged purpose of disposing of discarded glassines and other paper waste. 

Narcotics seized from the apartment tested positive for fentanyl in field tests. The results of DEA laboratory analysis are pending.

During arraignments, bail was set for all seven defendants in amounts ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 cash or $100,000 to $400,000 bond.

Bridget G. Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and commended her office’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit, the DEA New York Task Force Division, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work on the investigation.

Criminal Complaint	Charges
Exander Rodriguez-Santos  Bronx, NY  Age: 29	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Juan Burgos  Bronx, NY  Age: 37	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Luis Urena-Rodriguez  Bronx, NY  Age: 41	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Nelson Hiciano  Bronx, NY  Age: 35	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Cesar Castellano  Bronx, NY  Age: 41	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Jenny Antonio  Bronx, NY  Age: 46	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts
Juan Almanzar  Bronx, NY  Age: 27	CPCS 1st – 1 ct  CPCS 2nd – 1 ct  CPCS 3rd – 2 cts  Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd – 3 cts

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