Private Elementary School and Day Care Centers Located Nearby
Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill, New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett and Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the seizure of six kilograms of suspected fentanyl (over 13 lbs.) and quantities of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine destined for distribution in New York City.
On October 8, 2019, members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (DETF) Group T-12 were conducting surveillance in the vicinity of a suspected drug packaging location at 2322 Andrews Avenue North in the Bronx as part of an ongoing investigation. At approximately 3:20 p.m., agents and officers observed defendant WADELY TAVERAS leave 2322 Andrews Avenue North, carrying a black backpack. Agents and officers approached TAVERAS and recovered three brick-shaped packages, each suspected to contain a kilogram of fentanyl, from inside the backpack.
Members of Group T-12 obtained a court authorized search warrant with assistance from the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. At approximately 6:20 p.m., agents and officers conducted a court authorized search of 2322 Andrews Avenue North, Apt. 51, a three-bedroom apartment. Inside the master bedroom closet, agents and officers recovered three additional brick-shaped packages, each suspected to contain a kilogram of fentanyl, and several plastic bags suspected to contain 100 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of cocaine and 100 grams of heroin.
Elsewhere in the master bedroom, agents and officers recovered narcotics paraphernalia, including empty glassines used to package narcotics, a scale, grinders and a kilogram press.
A private elementary school and multiple day care centers are located on the same block as the drug packaging mill. The DEA estimated the wholesale value of the drugs recovered at over $300,000 and the street value at approximately $1 million. Results of laboratory analysis of the seized drugs are pending.
A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges TAVERAS with three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and two counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree. TAVERAS was arraigned last night in Manhattan Criminal Court, where a judge set bail at $200,000 cash or bond.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and commended members of SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, including members of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York City Police Department and the New York State Police, and SNP’s Investigators Unit for their work on the case.
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The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
