New York: DEA raids a pizzeria stashing $4 million in drugs

A police operation coordinated by the DEA ended last week with the arrest of three individuals and the total closure of a pizzeria used as a cover for the sale of drugs. It occurred in New York City's the Bronx, and according to authorities, more than 100 pounds of cocaine, crack, fentanyl, oxycodone and heroin were seized. The drugs, hidden in the commercial establishment, are have an estimated street value of $4 million.

"This drug trafficking organization was cooking up more than pizza in the Bronx," DEA Special Agent Frank Terentino, in charge of the operation, told the media. According to the authorities, the three arrested, Gaudencio Rosendo Pérez, Zulema Cárdenas Espinoza and Alexander Samboy, were charged with several charges related to drug trafficking and criminal possession, in the first and third degree.

Comprehensive surveillance

The agents became suspicious of the pizzeria after observing unusual activity in the establishment. A surveillance team observed Alexander Samboy, one of the detainees, enter with an unloaded backpack and leave Mexzarella Pizza with the same backpack full of something.

The agents followed Samboy and searched his vehicle at a roadblock. They found about 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of cocaine in his backpack. The other two members of the plot were later arrested. Finally, they proceeded to raid the premises and carry out a thorough search.

Drugs near food

The pizzeria is located near an intersection in the Soundview neighborhood and just a few feet from an elementary school. According to authorities, drugs were sold and kept at the pizzeria in the same spaces where food was prepared and stored. According to the DEA, at the same pizza counter, vials of drugs were stored to be conveniently sold or provided as samples to customers.