Just a couple weeks after Philadelphia nabbed its biggest cocaine bust in the history of the city, an apartment in Harlem has now been busted with over $10 million worth of heroin and fentanyl. NY Daily News reports that over 77 pounds of heroin and fentanyl, as well as bricks of drugs labeled “Pablo Escobar" were confiscated by police just yesterday on Lenox Ave. at W. 141st St.
Depending on the potency of the opioids, they are worth anywhere from $10 million to $20 million. $200,000 in cash, a money counter and a kilogram press were also found in the apartment. “The amount of fentanyl and heroin seized is a chilling reminder of the daunting threat lethal opioids pose to vulnerable substance users and those tempted to try readily available drugs," Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said.
Police made the bust after an investigation that required surveillance on Ariel Hernandez and Luisuidyn Garcia Mena. Police watched as both parties met in a black 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and then followed Ariel who led cops to the apartment. When Ariel left the apartment again he was wearing a backpack that contained three kilos of heroin and fentanyl.
Ariel, 35, faces charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance while Luisuidyn, 41, is charged with conspiracy and false personation for allegedly giving authorities a fake name. Both have pleaded not guilty.