Fentanyl Bust Near NYC Daycare Unveils $1.5 Million Cache
Just blocks away from the Divino Niño Daycare Center in New York City, where a tragic incident involving a 1-year-old child had occurred, law enforcement officers made a substantial discovery. They seized a stash of over 40 pounds of fentanyl, valued at nearly $1.5 million.
This revelation comes in the wake of an unfortunate incident in which one child lost their life and three others were hospitalized, suspected of ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx daycare center on September 15. Authorities swiftly reacted, locating a significant cache of this dangerous substance nearby.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced that Juan Gabriel Herrera Vargas, 42, faces charges of operating as a major trafficker, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminally using drug paraphernalia.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino expressed his concern, stating, “Herrera Vargas took danger one step further and wheeled over 40 pounds of fentanyl around the city and on the subway with no regard to public safety.”
The discovery unfolded when law enforcement observed Vargas carrying a small black bag to the Kingsbridge Road subway station. He was subsequently followed during his subway journey, leading to a significant development.
Upon confronting the suspect, Vargas fled, abandoning a small black and tan suitcase. Inside the suitcase, authorities discovered 13 rectangular-shaped kilogram bricks of what appeared to be fentanyl.
Later on, Vargas was spotted once again, this time with a blue suitcase. He was apprehended, and the suitcase yielded more suspected fentanyl, organized in 50,000 glassine packets enclosed within 25 larger packages.
During a search of Vargas’s apartment in the Bronx, law enforcement found black trash bags covering the windows. A more thorough examination uncovered one kilogram of fentanyl, six pounds of loose powder, 10,000 filled glassine packets, and various packing materials.
The DEA is awaiting laboratory results on the narcotics. The arrests related to this daycare incident include Renny Antonio Parra Parades, Grei Mendez De Ventura, and neighbor Carlisto Acevedo Brito, all facing charges in connection with a fentanyl overdose. Parra Paredes was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, as unsealed by the Department of Justice.
The daycare owner, De Ventura, and Brito were arrested on September 16 and charged in federal court with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and narcotics distribution resulting in death, both carrying maximum sentences of life in prison.
The shocking discovery of this significant drug mill spotlights the urgent need for heightened vigilance and preventive measures in the fight against the opioid crisis.