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Members of the FBI were spotted entering the Supermercado Mexico supermarket on Union Avenue in New Rochelle at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, authorities said. Agents were seen taking boxes of evidence from the location and arrests have been made.
The raids led to the arrests of seven men who allegedly conspired to distribute more than five kilograms of heroin and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in and around New Rochelle for several months.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut has charged an additional three men with drug offenses, including conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine around Bridgeport.
According to the indictment, from April through October this year, Ulysses Lopez, Valentino Lopez and Christian Lopez conspired to distribute the cocaine and meth in New Rochelle. Felipe Barajas, Jose Oceguera, Felipe Cortes, and Saturnino Oliver Farias are charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine.
In New Haven, Rafael Lopez-Macias, Juan Carlos Figueroa and Jaime Lopez allegedly possessed more than 500 grams of cocaine from March through June 26 this year. Additionally, on June 26, Lopez Macias was in possession of more than 500 grams of meth and on June 7, Lopez was in possession of cocaine for distribution.
“Our office is committed to ridding New York neighborhoods of highly addictive and extremely dangerous drugs, and we will continue to help coordinate our efforts with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and local and federal law enforcement agencies,” Berman said.
Berman said that those charged in Westchester face a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years. Those charged in Connecticut face a maximum sentence of 40 years and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
“The distribution of illegal narcotics continues to be a scourge on our communities,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office William Sweeney stated. “As alleged, these defendants profited from trafficking cocaine and methamphetamines at the expense of those subjected to all the negatives wrought by these substances.”
DEA New York Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt added, “earlier this year, DEA joined forces with FBI and the New Rochelle Police Department to dismantle a drug trafficking organization operating in Westchester and Fairfield Counties. By shutting down this family-run methamphetamine operation, lives will be saved.”
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