Investigators targeting an interstate drug trafficking detail seized 360 pounds of cocaine from a secret compartment in the flatbed of a tractor trailer in the Bronx, officials said.
The cocaine haul, which had an estimated street value of about $4.5 million, was uncovered Aug. 8 after a surveillance operation and a subsequent search warrant. Officials also uncovered $30,000 in cash as a result of the drug bust, and made three arrests.
“This seizure of more than 300 pounds of cocaine reflects the recent rise in cocaine trafficking to New York City that we have been tracking,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan. “This is a dangerous and disturbing trend, especially as we find drugs like fentanyl and xylazine mixed in with cocaine sold on the streets. We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt narcotics organizations, seize their drugs and profits, and make our city safer.”
According to authorities, agents from the New Jersey Drug Enforcement were conducting surveillance as part of an investigation into interstate narcotics trafficking when they observed a black Maxx-D Trailer stop along 233rd Street in the Bronx.
A gray Jeep Cherokee arrived a short time later.
Officials said Jeffrey Alcantara, 30 — a suspected drug dealer — stepped out of the Jeep and approached the big rig.
There, he spoke with two men, Karimzhan Ragibov, 28, and Rayimzhon Binaliyev, 37, who, along with Alcantara, have been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Law enforcement officials said Alcantara went back and forth between the vehicles nearly 10 times, directing the trailer driver to move further down the street. DEA agents detained the three men at some point, and obtained a search warrant.
Beneath the trailer bed, in a trap compartment, the agents found 163 sealed and airtight packages. A laboratory analysis revealed the package contents to be cocaine.
“These arrests demonstrate the successes we and our law enforcement partners achieve when working together to take down crime,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. “Intercepting significant amounts of deadly drugs prevents them from hitting our streets and, ultimately, saves lives.”
