Bronx, NY – Four men were indicted in a Bronx gun trafficking operation that allegedly sold nine firearms — including an AR-15-style rifle — to an undercover NYPD officer during a months-long investigation in the Concourse neighborhood, prosecutors announced Tuesday.
The firearms allegedly included seven pistols, a .300 Blackout semi-automatic rifle and another inoperable handgun, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. Investigators also said undercover officers purchased cocaine, oxycodone and alprazolam during the operation.
Prosecutors said one of the alleged gun deals unfolded inside a playground where a loaded handgun was exchanged in broad daylight.
Undercover Operation Targeted Bronx Gun Sales
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the 51-count indictment charging Junior Alvarado, 29, Brandon Suero, 29, Erick Martinez, 24, all of the Bronx, and Tajamar Daishah Hyatt, 29, of Florida.
The defendants face charges including criminal sale of a firearm, conspiracy, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal sale of controlled substances.
“These defendants allegedly provided high-powered pistols, and a semi-automatic rifle that fires ammunition suited for hunting and close-range combat,” Clark said. “They allegedly brought a loaded gun into a playground.”
According to investigators, undercover NYPD detectives conducted a series of purchases between July and November 2025 on East Clarke Place in the Concourse section of the Bronx.
Authorities allege Alvarado acted as the primary seller and is charged with first-degree criminal sale of a firearm for allegedly selling three or more guns within a year.
Key Points
• Four men were indicted after undercover NYPD officers allegedly purchased nine firearms in the Bronx
• Prosecutors said the weapons included an AR-15-style rifle and multiple handguns
• Investigators allege one loaded pistol sale happened inside a Bronx playground
Surveillance Captured Playground Gun Transaction
Investigators said the alleged trafficking conspiracy involved multiple suppliers who provided firearms for resale.
On July 7, 2025, prosecutors said Hyatt arrived at a playground on East Clarke Place carrying a black backpack containing a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol.
Authorities allege Alvarado took possession of the backpack after counting cash before selling the weapon to an undercover officer nearby.
Prosecutors said the exchange was captured on surveillance video.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the operation posed a major public safety threat in a residential Bronx community.
“The defendants in this case were part of a dangerous trafficking ring that funneled seven pistols, one semi-automatic rifle, and drugs into a thriving Bronx community,” Tisch said.
Investigators also recovered narcotics during the operation, including oxycodone pills, alprazolam pills and cocaine.
Defendants Face Weapons and Drug Charges
Alvarado was arraigned Monday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis. Bail was set at $200,000 cash, $600,000 bond or $600,000 partially secured bond.
Suero and Martinez were arraigned earlier this month before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Pamela Goldsmith, where bail was set at $30,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $100,000 partially secured bond.
Hyatt had not yet been arraigned as of Tuesday’s announcement.
The investigation was led by NYPD Narcotics Borough Bronx Major Case Unit detectives alongside the Bronx District Attorney’s Special Investigations Bureau.
Officials credited undercover officers and surveillance teams for dismantling the alleged trafficking network before more weapons reached city streets.
