Alleged Manhattan Drug Dealer Arrested For Causing Overdose Death

 

 Audrey Strauss, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging EDWARD NAVEDO, a/k/a “Eddy Bolsas,” with distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 41-year-old man (the “Victim”) on or about December 19, 2020, in New York, New York.  NAVEDO was arrested this morning, presented and arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger this afternoon, and ordered detained.  The case is assigned to United States District Judge Analisa Torres.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged, Edward Navedo sold fentanyl, and a dose he sold resulted in a victim’s death.  Today’s arrest is part of our ongoing commitment to confront this serious public health crisis.”   

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “Today’s arrest is another example of the NYPD’s commitment to holding accountable those allegedly responsible for causing overdose deaths and our continued close partnerships with the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District. Anyone who deals in illegal narcotics should understand that the nation’s best investigators will stop at nothing to fight crime and keep safe all the people we serve.

According to the allegations in the Indictment and information in the public record[1]:

On or about December 19, 2020, the Victim died due to a drug overdose and was found to be in possession of, among other things, a packet stamped with a distinctive red marking.  Following an investigation, the NYPD identified NAVEDO as the dealer who sold the Victim the drugs that resulted in his death.  The NYPD subsequently made several undercover purchases of additional narcotics from NAVEDO – including heroin and fentanyl – some of which NAVEDO sold in packets that bore the same distinctive red stamp as that recovered from the Victim.

NAVEDO, 60, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.  The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress, and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the NYPD.  This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Jarrod L. Schaeffer is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.