DEA agents and NYPD officers found a suitcase filled with methamphetamine on top.
Approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and 4 kilograms (more than 8 pounds) of cocaine were seized from an apartment at 550 West 54th Street, an upscale Hell's Kitchen residential building, following an investigation into methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking in New York City. It was done. Two men are charged with first-, second- and third-degree possession of a controlled substance. The estimated street value of the seized drugs was more than $1.1 million.
Bridget G. Brennan, New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, Edward A. Caban, New York City Police Commissioner, New York State Police Acting Superintendent Stephen G. James announced the arrest following his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan “Like the deadly fentanyl, methamphetamine is a highly addictive synthetic drug that is harming lives in our city and across our country. We are also seeing a spike in cocaine seizures in our cities. We thank our law enforcement partners at the DEA, NYPD, and New York State Police for their cooperation and efforts to curb the supply of deadly drugs.”
DEA Special Agent Frank Tarentino “Our investigations span New York City and around the world, leading to the seizure of $1 million in cocaine in Hell's Kitchen. DEA and our law enforcement partners are committed to keeping illegal drugs off the streets. We are working steadfast to bring those responsible to justice for this investigation. I commend the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York City Narcotics Special Prosecutor's Office for their diligent efforts in this investigation.”
On March 12, 2024, members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) Group T-43 were conducting surveillance at 550 West 54th Street in preparation for a court-authorized search of a 27th floor apartment. It is said that Giovani Salas was seen there. Salas left his apartment around 5:47 p.m., took the elevator to the 27th floor, and soon arrived at the building's lobby. Agents and officers arrested Salas in the lobby and recovered a wallet containing Sergio Betacourt Peralta's identification. There was a key in the wallet, and it is believed that he opened the door to the apartment on the 27th floor.
At approximately 5:55 p.m. that night, members of NYDETF Group T-43 entered the 27th floor apartment to conduct a court-authorized search and encountered BETANCOURT PERALTA inside the apartment. Deputies and police officers took him into custody.
During the search, investigators and officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 8 pounds of cocaine packed in a suitcase in a bedroom closet. Approximately $27,880 in cash was found in a backpack in a closet. Also seized were BETANCOURT PERALTA's Mexican passport and expired U.S. visa/border crossing card, as well as SALAS' Mexican voter registration, Colorado driver's license, and U.S. passport.
Salas and Betancourt-Peralta were arraigned Wednesday night, March 13, 2024, in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan would like to thank Alvin L. Bragg Jr. of the District of Manhattan, SNP Office of Special Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, New York City Police Department, New York State He praised the police. their investigative efforts;
New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan and New York City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban announced the indictments and arrests that occurred over the past six weeks.
Accusations and allegations are mere accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
| defendant | Fee |
| Giovanny Salas, Denver, Colorado Age: 29 | CPCS1cent – 1ctCPCS 2n.d. – 1ctCPCS 3rd – 2 carats |
| Sergio Betancourt Peralta, New York, NY Age: 34 | CPCS1cent – 1ctCPCS 2n.d. – 1ctCPCS 3rd – |
