NEW YORK, NY – Four individuals have been charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics and narcotics distribution in Manhattan federal court following the discovery of what is believed to be one of the largest seizures of fentanyl in New York City’s history. The accused, Wellington Eustate Espinal, Cristian Eustate Espinal, Heriberto Eustate Espinal, and Roberto Jose Vargas-Paulino, were apprehended in the Belmont area of the Bronx.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams described the significant amount of fentanyl found, saying it could have had catastrophic implications for New Yorkers. The DEA’s Frank Tarantino emphasized the threat posed by the increasing presence of fentanyl in street drugs, with many consumers unaware of its lethal potency. HSI’s Ivan J. Arvelo stressed the proximity of such illicit activities to family neighborhoods and places of trust.
The investigation revealed that the group had converted a residential apartment in the Bronx into a significant drug packaging hub, referred to as the “Fentanyl Mill.” It was equipped to store and process large quantities of fentanyl, with the capability to produce hundreds of thousands of pills for distribution. When searched on October 5, law enforcement found all four defendants within the facility and seized around 24 kilograms of suspected fentanyl in powder form, over 200,000 suspected fentanyl pills, and equipment for producing and packaging the drugs.
Both counts against the defendants carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, with a maximum possibility of life imprisonment.
The successful operation was a joint effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The prosecution of the case is being overseen by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maggie Lynaugh.