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.
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.
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.
