As part of an ongoing investigation into fentanyl/heroin trafficking in New York City, federal, state and local law enforcement officers recovered over 13 pounds of drug mixtures, including fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, from inside a packaging mill. The drugs are estimated to carry a street value of over $2 million. An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) in Manhattan Supreme Court charges three individuals in connection with the packaging operation, which was based inside 2300 Olinville Avenue, a residential building located across from PS 96, The Richard Rogers School.
Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division (NY), New York City Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrest and indictment of Juancito RIVERA, Josue PICHARDO, and Joseph MARTINEZ. The indictment, unsealed today in conjunction with arraignments in Manhattan Supreme Court, contains charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First, Second and Third Degrees.
The investigation was conducted by the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) Group T-21, comprised of agents and officers from DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said, “This organization demonstrated callous disregard not only for the lives of its customers, but also for residents of the surrounding neighborhood. Our investigation interrupted the packaging and distribution of hundreds of thousands of dosages of dangerous drug mixtures, including opioids, sedatives, and stimulants. Those who lived in the 20-story apartment building where this organization was based had no warning of the risks they were exposed to, even as 17 large packages of potentially deadly substances were hurled out of a window. I commend the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and my office’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit for saving lives by dismantling this operation.”
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said, “It is deeply concerning that an illegal narcotics packaging mill operated across the street from a public school, involving fentanyl and xylazine, two highly toxic drugs, and cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Thirteen pounds of these substances were recovered, and I thank our local, state and federal partners for intercepting these drugs that continue to ravage our communities. Xylazine was involved in more than a quarter of fatal overdoses in the city in 2023; opioid overdose reversal drugs are not effective on it, making it even more dangerous.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III said: “Over the past few months, our DEA New York team, along with our law enforcement partners, targeted individuals involved in the packing and distribution of illicit narcotics, which included both fentanyl and xylazine. Knowing the harmful effects that both fentanyl and xylazine poise, these dealers continued to mix both into their product, recklessly endangering the lives of those individuals they distributed to. The DEA remains committed to saving lives and will never stop targeting those responsible for poisoning our communities.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said, “Today’s charges should serve as a warning to anyone seeking to profit from the packaging and distribution of illegal drugs anywhere in New York City. Dedicated investigators from the NYPD, in collaboration with our state and federal law enforcement partners, are tirelessly working day and night to root you out and hold you accountable for your actions. I commend all the members of the NYDETF and everyone at the office of New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor for their unwavering efforts on this case, and their ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of life of all New Yorkers.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “We continue to work with our local and federal partners to target those who are trafficking dangerous narcotics in our communities. This investigation has shut down a major packaging operation and has taken 13-pounds of deadly heroin and fentanyl off the streets. I want to thank our members and partners for their outstanding work.”
During a short-term investigation, members of NYDETF Group T-21 conducted physical and electronic surveillance at 2300 Olinville Avenue and identified a suspected drug packaging location within Apartment 9A. Several individuals, including MARTINEZ, RIVERA, and PICHARDO, were observed coming and going from the apartment, sometimes carrying bags. MARTINEZ is alleged to have operated the mill and was the target of the investigation
On November 6, 2024, at approximately 9:45 p.m., members of NYDETF Group T-21 arrived at 2300 Olinville Avenue, Apartment 9A, to conduct a court authorized search. As agents and officers worked to open the apartment door, which was secured by multiple deadbolt locks, an NYPD detective assigned to NYDETF was stationed outside the residential building and observed bags of what appeared to be drugs being tossed from a 9th floor window.
Approximately 10 individual bags containing narcotics and other substances were recovered from the ground outside 2300 Olinville Avenue. Another seven bags were found on neighboring balconies underneath the window on the 7th and 8th floors. Subsequent DEA laboratory analysis determined these bags contained various mixtures and quantities of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, methamphetamine and cocaine, as well as other substances.
When agents and officers entered the apartment, RIVERA was allegedly near the front door and MARTINEZ and PICHARDO were allegedly in a back bedroom that contained the window from which the drugs were tossed.
During the search of this bedroom and another bedroom in the apartment, agents and officers allegedly recovered approximately 17 large bags of suspected drugs. DEA laboratory analysis later determined these bags contained various mixtures of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, and methamphetamine.
A bag containing over three pounds of xylazine mixed with caffeine were also found. Additionally, agents and officers recovered tens of thousands of individual dose glassine envelopes filled with mixtures of fentanyl, heroin and xylazine.
A non-controlled substance, xylazine is present in a significant proportion of overdose deaths in New York City. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, xylazine was involved in more than a quarter of fatal overdoses in New York City in 2023. It is often found mixed with fentanyl and is not responsive to opioid overdose reversal drugs.
Also in the apartment, agents and officers recovered over $3,700 cash and all the equipment necessary for packaging drugs, including empty glassine envelopes, strainers, grinders, and kilogram press devices.
During arraignments this morning, Manhattan Supreme Court Abraham Clott ordered MARTINEZ held without bail. RIVERA and PICHARDO are on supervised release with electronic monitoring.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and commended SNP’s Special Investigations Bureau and Investigators Unit, DEA New York Division, the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their work on the investigation.
Defendants | Charges |
Juancito Rivera Bronx, NY Age: 34 | CPCS 1st – 1 ct CPCS 2nd – 1 ct CPCS 3rd – 1 ct |
Josue Pichardo New York, NY Age: 27 | CPCS 1st – 1 ct CPCS 2nd – 1 ct CPCS 3rd – 1 ct |
Joseph Martinez Teaneck, NJ Age: 32 | CPCS 1st – 1 ct CPCS 2nd – 1 ct CPCS 3rd – 1 ct |
