$5M worth of Mexican fentanyl seized from secret compartment of Bronx SUV
Luke Gentile
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Officials in New York reported the seizure of more than $5 million worth of fentanyl discovered in a secret compartment inside a Bronx vehicle.
At least 300,000 fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and more than 11 pounds of fentanyl powder were discovered Sunday inside a hidden compartment of a red Ford Expedition gas tank on Sunday, according to a Wednesday release from the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the city of New York.
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The incident began after Drug Enforcement Administration New York officials stopped the SUV while conducting surveillance operations as part of an investigation.
An NYPD K9 made authorities aware that narcotics could be in the vehicle, but they were unable to identify the precise location of the drugs and searched the driver, 44-year-old Enrique Perez of Ohio, authorities said.
“An inspection of PEREZ’s phone allegedly revealed photographs of bundles of cash and what appeared to be a hidden access to the Ford Expedition’s gas tank from inside of the vehicle,” the release read. “Agents discovered the gas tank was accessible from the rear floor area. Approximately 300,000 blue fake oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and five kilograms of powdered fentanyl were contained in vacuum sealed packages, and submerged in the vehicle’s gas tank.”
“The fentanyl seized from the Ford Expedition is believed to have originated in Mexico.”
Investigators said they believe the vehicle had crossed the southern border on multiple occasions, according to the release.
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“This case fits a trafficking pattern observed in recent months: defendants who reside out-of-state transport large quantities of fentanyl pills and powder together for distribution in New York City; vehicles used bear out-of-state license plates, not necessarily from the state of residence; and loads of narcotics are worth a million dollars or more,” the release read.
Perez was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first and third degrees, and his bail was set at $200,000.