5 Arrested For Trafficking Over 1,300 Pounds Of Candles Containing Methamphetamine

  Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Angel M. Melendez, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and James P. O’Neill, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the arrests of AGUSTIN ZAMORA-VEGA, a/k/a “Julio Cesar,” ORLANDO ALCANTARA, CINDY CARRILLO, SANTOS MINJAREZ, and JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ-SOLIS, all of whom conspired to distribute over 1,300 pounds of wax candles laced with methamphetamine.  The defendants were arrested overnight in New Jersey, and were presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Nathaniel Fox.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said:  “As alleged, the defendants worked to distribute a massive quantities of methamphetamine, concealed in wax candles. As creative as these defendants were, allegedly hiding dangerous drugs in a common household item, law enforcement was on top of this newest scheme.”

DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt said:  “DEA has seen drugs smuggled in numerous ways:  concealed in puppies, lollipops, furniture, and produce. But secreting a million dollars’ worth of methamphetamine in wax candles of various shapes is shocking. This seizure signifies that drug trafficking organizations are determined to create a stronghold of meth users in the Northeast. Through the good work of SDNY, DEA, HSI and NYPD, this load of methamphetamine was seized before it even hit the streets, thwarting the organization's plans.”

HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Angel M. Melendez said:  “These individuals allegedly possessed more than half a ton of wax candles that would be melted down and converted into crystal meth, eventually introducing more of these destructive synthetic drugs onto our streets.  Drug traffickers are always thinking of more creative ways to store and traffic their drugs. But the ever evolving way in which investigations are conducted and information is shared among law enforcement is key to identifying and prosecuting these criminals.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint[1] charging the five defendants:

In August 2017, law enforcement agents learned that ZAMORA-VEGA was seeking a facility in which he intended to store and convert a large quantity of methamphetamine into crystal form (“crystal meth”).  After that, on August 17, 2017, an undercover officer (the “UC”) drove with ZAMORA-VEGA to a warehouse in New Jersey (the “NJ Warehouse”) that the UC offered to ZAMORA-VEGA to use to store and convert methamphetamine to crystal meth.  ZAMORA-VEGA indicated that he was interested in using the NJ Warehouse for those purposes. 

In the days following August 17, 2017, ZAMORA-VEGA indicated to the UC that he was expecting a large shipment of methamphetamine to arrive in the New York area in the coming days, and that he intended to transport the methamphetamine to the NJ Warehouse where he would convert it to crystal meth.

On August 29, 2017, ZAMORA-VEGA told the UC that the methamphetamine had arrived at a facility on Long Island.  CARRILLO texted the UC the address of the Long Island facility so that the UC could meet ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO there.  Ultimately, however, the UC agreed to meet ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO at a hotel in New Jersey where ZAMORA-VEGA and CARRILLO had been staying (the “NJ Hotel”).

When the UC arrived at the NJ Hotel, he met with ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, and GONZALEZ-SOLIS.  While at the NJ Hotel, ZAMORA-VEGA showed the UC that the boxes contained a large quantity of what appeared to be wax candles (the “Meth Candles”).  ZAMORA-VEGA indicated that the candles actually contained methamphetamine, which could be melted and converted to crystal meth.  Thereafter, all of the defendants travelled from the NJ Hotel to the NJ Warehouse.

Once at the NJ Warehouse, ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, GONZALEZ-SOLIS all engaged in a discussion with the UC about the fact that the NJ Warehouse would be used to convert the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  The defendants continued to discuss with the UC topics such as how they intended to begin converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth; that they would stay in the NJ Warehouse until the process was completed; that they would need additional equipment; and that they expected it would take them from August 29, 2017, until September 2, 2017, to complete the process of converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  ALCANTARA stated that two fans, one on each side of the NJ Warehouse, would need to be uncovered before they began converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  In response, GONZALEZ-SOLIS stated that only one fan needed to be uncovered, since they would only be converting the Meth Candles to crystal meth in that area of the NJ Warehouse.

Thereafter, MINJAREZ indicated that he would purchase the necessary supplies.  At that point, CARRILLO provided a credit card to MINJAREZ and told MINJAREZ to charge to the credit card all items purchased to convert the Meth Candles to crystal meth.  MINJAREZ left the NJ Warehouse.  Shortly thereafter, ZAMORA-VEGA, ALCANTARA, MINJAREZ, GONZALEZ-SOLIS and the UC unloaded the boxes containing the Meth Candles.  ZAMORA-VEGA, CARRILLO, ALCANTARA, and GONZALEZ-SOLIS were subsequently placed under arrest.  MINJAREZ was arrested later at the NJ Hotel.

Agents with the DEA, HSI, and NYPD recovered from the NJ Warehouse approximately 27 cardboard boxes each containing a large number of candles, with an aggregate weight in excess of 1,300 pounds.  A field test of one of the Meth Candles revealed that the Meth Candle contained a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

AGUSTIN ZAMORA-VEGA, a/k/a “Julio Cesar,” 30, ORLANDO ALCANTARA, 33, CINDY CARRILLO, 27, SANTOS MINJAREZ, 26, and JOSE LUIS GONZALEZ-SOLIS, 28, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams and more of mixtures and substances containing methamphetamine.  This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.  The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised DEA, HSI, and the NYPD for their outstanding work on the investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing.  

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

The entire seven page complaint can be downloaded HERE.

A.G. Schneiderman Warns Against Gasoline Price Gouging Following Hurricane Harvey

Reduced Gas Supply Impacts NY; 

A.G. Urges New Yorkers to Report Potential Consumer Exploitation To His Office

 Schneiderman: We'll Hold Accountable Those Who Capitalize On The Storm At The Expense Of Hardworking New Yorkers

  Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman  issued a consumer alert warning both consumers and businesses about gasoline price gouging following Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent reduction in supply that has impacted New York State.

“Experience has shown that some gas station owners use severe storms as an opportunity to exploit consumers,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Hurricane Harvey has led to gas price spikes across the country, including in New York – but we'll hold accountable those who seek to capitalize on the storm at the expense of hardworking New York families.” 

On the Thursday following Hurricane Harvey, gasoline prices across the country rose to a two-year high. Similarly, the statewide average price of gasoline has risen 23 cents per gallon since Harvey made landfall in Texas over a week ago. The shutdown of major refineries and the closure of the Colonial Pipeline used to carry gas from Texas to the Northeast are respectively having a significant effect on nationwide and local prices. 

In the aftermath of the hurricane, New Yorkers have seen the following fluctuation in gas prices.

New York average gas prices as of September 2:

	Regular	Mid-Grade	Premium	Diesel
Current Avg.	$2.709	$2.863	$3.072	$2.770
Friday Avg.	$2.607	$2.805	$3.014	$2.741
Week Ago Avg.	$2.479	$2.735	$2.937	$2.704
Month Ago Avg.	$2.464	$2.715	$2.923	$2.682
Year Ago Avg.	$2.335	$2.583	$2.792	$2.539

The General Business Law prohibits excessive increases in prices of essential goods and services like gasoline resulting from natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey that significantly disrupt the market. Furthermore, New York State’s Price Gouging Law (General Business Law § 396-r) prohibits merchants from taking unfair advantage of consumers by selling goods or services for an “unconscionably excessive price” during an “abnormal disruption of the market,” as represented by a gross disparity between the price of the product immediately prior to and after such an occurrence. The price gouging law covers New York State vendors, retailers and suppliers.

While some increases in the price of gas are to be expected following a natural disaster, the Office of the Attorney General will not tolerate excessive price increases for consumers farthest far exceeds the increase in cost to companies. Since taking office, the Attorney General has fought to protect consumers from similar cases of price gouging and has taken action against predatory companies. As a result of the Attorney General’s investigation into high gas prices during Hurricane Sandy, Attorney General Schneiderman secured over $300,000 in penalties and costs from more than 40 gas stations in New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley that gouged their customers.

Attorney General Schneiderman urges any New Yorker who believes they have been the victim of price gouging to call the Attorney General's office at 800-771-7755 or visit www.ag.NY.gov/price-gouging-complaint-form to file a complaint.

DA VANCE: MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS-TO-LIFE IN PRISON FOR COMMITTING BRUTAL RAPE AND ROBBERY ON 207TH STREET BRIDGE

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the sentencing of RANDY RIVERA, 29, to 20 years-to-life in state prison for violently raping, then robbing, a 60-year-old woman on the 207th Street Bridge in 2015. On May 1, 2017, the defendant pleaded guilty to every count in the indictment against him: two counts of Predatory Sexual Assault and one count of Robbery in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony. 

“In this horrific stranger assault, Randy Rivera mercilessly beat, raped, and robbed a woman early one morning as she walked to work,” said District Attorney Vance. “Now, he will serve a sentence worthy of this brutal crime. Whether it’s through a $38 million investment to end the backlog of untested rape kits or by prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law, my Office remains firmly committed to ensuring that the perpetrators of violent sex crimes are brought to justice, and that survivors  receive the justice they so deeply deserve.”

As admitted in the defendant's guilty plea, at approximately 5:30 a.m. on December 21, 2015, the victim was crossing the 207th Street Bridge when RIVERA grabbed her from behind, covered her face with her hood, and dragged her to an alcove on the bridge. RIVERA—a Level 3 sex offender—then shoved the victim to the ground and repeatedly punched her in the face and head before he removed her pants and sexually assaulted her. After the assault, the defendant grabbed the victim’s purse and fled the scene. 

The victim contacted the police and, later, went to Harlem Hospital, where a rape kit was performed. On January 30, 2016, DNA results from the rape kit matched to RIVERA in the state DNA database and police arrested him that same day.

Assistant District Attorney Erin Reid handled the prosecution of the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Martha Bashford, Chief of the Sex Crimes Unit, Alfred Peterson, Chief of Trial Bureau 70, and Executive Assistant District Attorney John Irwin, Chief of the Trial Division. 

District Attorney Vance thanked Detectives John Lopez and Josh Ulan of NYPD’s Special Victims Squad for assisting with the case.

Defendant Information:

RANDY RIVERA, D.O.B. 01/23/1988

Address Unknown

Convicted:

•    Predatory Sexual Assault, a class A felony, two counts

•    Robbery in the Second Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony, a class C felony, one count

Sentenced:

•    20 years-to-life in prison

RADICAL CLERIC SHAIKH FAISAL INDICTED FOR RECRUITING SUPPORTERS AND FACILITATING EFFORTS TO JOIN ISLAMIC STATE

Influential ISIS Recruiter Used Public Profile to Solicit Acts of Violence and Terrorism

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill today announced the indictment of TREVOR WILLIAM FORREST, a/k/a “SHAIKH ABDULLAH FAISAL,” a/k/a “SHAIKH FAISAL,” 53, for using his public profile and personal network to recruit and provide support to those seeking to commit acts of violence and terrorism against others. The defendant is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism and other charges.^[1]

The indictment follows a yearlong investigation by the NYPD Intelligence Bureau and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Counter Terrorism Program, which was created in June 2015 to identify and pursue investigative leads related to homegrown terror plots, extremist activities, and terror-financing.

“Shaikh Faisal has dedicated his life to terror recruitment,” said District Attorney Vance. “Through his lectures, website, and videos, he incites untold numbers of people around the world to take up the cause of jihad. As is alleged in this case, he provided material support to the Islamic State by facilitating the passage of a self-described ISIS sympathizer from New York to Syria. A charismatic leader, the defendant’s rhetoric has been cited by several convicted or suspected terrorists in New York, London, and beyond. As charged in today’s indictment, the defendant also served as the fulcrum of a recruitment effort that encouraged individuals to carry out acts of terrorism in the name of the Islamic State and connected them with other radical supporters who were willing—or already in the process—of doing the same in countries around the world.”

Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “Shaikh Faisal has used his influence and direction to groom and inspire terrorists who have bombed trains, attempted to blow up airliners, and attack Americans here and abroad. His arrest for his efforts to recruit people for ISIS, a terrorist group that has plotted attacks against New York City, should bring an abrupt end to his global outreach in support of terror groups such as al-Qaida and ISIS.”

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, beginning in December 2016, FAISAL and an undercover NYPD officer based in New York began communicating remotely while the defendant was living in St. James, Jamaica. 

Since 2014, FAISAL, who was previously convicted in the U.K. of crimes related to inciting murder and using racially charged, hateful rhetoric in furtherance of terrorist ideologies, has publicly supported a terrorist organization known as the Islamic State, a/k/a “ISIS” or “ISIL”, and called for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate through violent acts encouraged by the defendant’s online lectures and militant propaganda. 

During their conversations, which occurred over email, text messages, and video chats, FAISAL encouraged the undercover officer to view his lectures online and began sending this person propagandist reports from an official Islamic State news outlet. After their initial exchanges, the defendant offered to help the undercover officer leave the U.S. and travel to the Middle East to support foreign fighters abroad. FAISAL also offered to connect this individual with contacts, cautioning the undercover officer to be circumspect about explicit references to the plan, employ coded language, and use an encrypted chat tool while communicating with FAISAL and his associates. 

In a subsequent conversation, the undercover officer informed the defendant that they were certified to perform first aid and CPR, and reiterated the undercover officer’s desire to go overseas to provide aid to foreign fighters in the Middle East. FAISAL then suggested that the undercover officer enter into a marriage with someone in the Islamic State to enable travel abroad, and offered to broker the arrangement. Members of the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, along with the undercover officer, then traveled to the Middle East and, upon their arrival, the defendant provided the undercover officer with contact information for an individual based in Raqqa, Syria. In early 2017, that individual contacted the undercover officer and began collecting information about this person’s location and whereabouts in order to facilitate entry into the Islamic State. 

^[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

Defendant Information:

TREVOR WILLIAM FORREST, a/k/a “SHAIKH ABDULLAH FAISAL”, a/k/a “SHAIKH FAISAL”, D.O.B. 9/10/1963

St. James, Jamaica

Charged:

• Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class B violent felony, 1 count
• Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree, a class C violent felony, 1 count
• Attempted Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class C violent felony, 1 count
• Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class D violent felony, 1 count
• Attempted Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the Frist Degree, a class D violent felony, 1 count
• 
  

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and CM Andrew Cohen Host 7th Annual "Welcome to the Neighborhood Weekend Walk"

4th Annual Music on the BLVD event

BP Ruben Diaz Jr. to Host Muslim School Holiday

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - September 13th 911 Memorial Ceremony

EDITOR'S NOTE:

9/11 was an important part of American history since it was the first time in the 20th  Century that the United States Homeland was attacked. It is very important that this be taught in all schools so children born after 9/11 know what happened, and realize that the attacks were against their freedom which they enjoy today.