High-Volume Drug Trafficker Supplied Dealers in NYC Nightclubs

0
494
NYPD NEWS
NYPD NEWS

Bridget G. Brennan, New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor announced today the arrest of five individuals, including a high-level drug trafficker based in Harlem, ALBERT FORTOSA, who arranged for bulk shipments of cocaine to be sent via U.S. Postal Service express mail from Puerto Rico to New York City. Five intercepted packages each contained a kilogram of cocaine (over 2 lbs.) concealed in gift-wrapped boxes and packed alongside children’s toys.

NYPD NEWS
NYPD NEWS

The defendants were arrested as a result of a long-term wiretap investigation by the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Vice City Wide Club Enforcement and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. FORTOSA was arrested as he allegedly accepted delivery of a package on July 2, 2015. The other defendants were arrested on August 4, 2015, including DANIEL REYES, a drug delivery service operator based in Bushwick, Brooklyn, DERRICK SANTANA, who allegedly sold drugs in nightclubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as other locations, and JOSEPH OWENS, who worked closely with FORTOSA. Both REYES and SANTANA are charged in connection with sales to undercover NYPD officers.

A 71-count indictment contains charges of Conspiracy, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest.

Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “This investigation began in nightclubs across New York City and ultimately led to the arrest of a major narcotics supplier, who obtained multiple shipments of cocaine from Puerto Rico via the U.S. Mail. Kilos of cocaine were disguised as children’s birthday gifts, and shipped alongside innocent looking Olaf dolls and other toys, in a failed attempt to conceal the sinister contents. I congratulate the NYPD’s Vice Squad, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Assistant District Attorneys in my office’s Trial Division for their excellent work on this case.”

“I would like to thank the investigators of the NYPD’s Vice City Wide Club Enforcement, the prosecutors of the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the members U.S. Postal Service for holding these individuals responsible for allegedly distributing large amounts of narcotics, and intercepting these drugs before they could reach the streets of New York City,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.

Facebook Comments