An undercover investigation that began with a large cocaine sale resulted in the seizure of a gun and nearly 25 pounds of narcotics, including what appeared to be heroin/fentanyl and oxycodone pills, as well as methamphetamine. CARLOS TORRES and a second individual were arrested on Friday, July 12, 2024, and arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court over the weekend. Members of the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force uncovered the large cache of narcotics in a basement apartment in the Parkchester neighborhood of the Bronx.
A criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor charges TORRES with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First and Third Degrees, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second, Third and Fourth Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree. The second individual, MARTIN FIGUEROA, is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree.
Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor, 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 Edward A. Caban, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced the arrests following an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said, “These arrests illustrate dangerous trends. Drug traffickers are simultaneously peddling many different dangerous substances, sometimes interchangeably, and buyers have no way of knowing what they are getting. The ‘Playboy’ and ‘Tesla’ stamps demonstrate another disturbing practice – attractive labels disguising potentially deadly substances.”
DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said, “These arrests are a result of an undercover operation the DEA New York conducted with our law enforcement partners. I commend the quick action of our team in the removal of over 20 pounds of illicit narcotics and a gun off our streets. Anytime a firearm is recovered during an operation, it is a stark reminder of the dangers we face when targeting these organizations.“
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “Disrupting this packaging and distribution operation in the Bronx prevented deadly narcotics from reaching the streets and neighborhoods of New York City and, without a doubt, saved lives. Stopping the flow of illegal drugs into our communities remains one of the top priorities of NYPD investigators and our invaluable law enforcement partners, and this fight will continue every day until all New Yorkers are safe.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The arrests in this case are part of a continuing strategy and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics in New York City and surrounding communities. I appreciate the work of our members and our strike force partners in this case. We have absolutely zero tolerance for this kind of illegal activity.”
The investigation was conducted by Strike Force Group Z-43, comprised of agents and officers from DEA New York Division, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and the New York State Police.
As alleged in the complaint, over the past week TORRES engaged in narcotics-related conversations with an undercover officer to arrange the sale of two kilograms (over four pounds) of cocaine. On July 11, 2024, at approximately 5 p.m., the undercover was at the agreed upon meeting place, 1460 St. Lawrence Avenue in the Bronx, and saw FIGUEROA on the roof of an adjacent garage. FIGUEROA allegedly threw a black bag to TORRES, who was standing in the outdoor yard of 1460 St. Lawrence Avenue. TORRES then allegedly met with the undercover in a vehicle.
Members of Strike Force Group Z-43 subsequently apprehended TORRES and FIGUEROA in the yard and recovered the black bag containing two kilograms of cocaine. The investigation led agents and officers to the basement of 1460 St. Lawrence Avenue, where they allegedly recovered a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine and quantities of cocaine from an open box, and additional quantities of cocaine from a bathroom.
Agents and officers obtained a court authorized search warrant for the basement apartment at 1460 St. Lawrence Avenue. A bag in a hallway in the apartment contained approximately seven kilograms (nearly 15 pounds) of suspected heroin/fentanyl, some of which was packaged in glassines bearing the brand names “Playboy” and “Tesla.” Additional kilograms of what appeared to be cocaine and methamphetamine were found in the hallway and in the ceiling. A bag of oxycodone pills was recovered from a filing cabinet in the living room. The apartment also contained equipment and materials used in packaging heroin/fentanyl, including scales, glassine envelopes and razor blades.
The results of DEA laboratory analysis on the seized drugs are pending. The arraigning judge in Manhattan Criminal Court set bail for TORRES at $750,000 cash or bond. FIGUEROA was released on his own recognizance.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan thanked Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, and commended SNP’s Special Trial Division, DEA New York Division, the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force, the New York City Police Department, and the New York State Police for their work on the investigation.
