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During a raid last night on a New York City narcotics packaging facility, investigators found 33 pounds of heroin and thousands of glassine bags stamped with the NFL logo and other drug brands like “Government Shutdown,” and “iPhone.”
Along with seizing the heroin–which agents valued at $8 million–two men were arrested at the Bronx location.
A Drug Enforcement Administration evidence photo (seen at right) shows the ink stamp used to brand glassines with the NFL logo
Officers arrested Cristino Then, 25, after observing him delivering a package to the building. Then was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree.
The bust was part of a surveillance operation in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx on Thursday night. After arresting Then, officers picked up Augustin Rivera, who was seen climbing out of a window at the residence; Rivera was booked on the same charges as Then.
After entering the residence, police found the heroin, along with hundreds of individual “glassine” bags stamped with brand names that included “NFL,” “government shutdown,” “Olympics 2012” and “iPhone.” There were also coffee grinders on the premise, according to the report, which are used to cut heroin with a diluting agent like baking soda.
“A seizure of this size should open everyone’s eyes to the magnitude of the heroin problem confronting us. We’ve heard from public officials throughout the Northeast of soaring addiction within their own localities,” said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan.
“The brand names used are tied to upcoming events, indicating the savvy and sophistication of the heroin distribution ring.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
