Authorities arrested a Bronx, N.Y. man for possession of 20 kilograms of the drug fentanyl, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency said in a news release.
“As alleged, the defendant trafficked huge quantities of fentanyl, the major driver of the opioid epidemic plaguing this country," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "Thanks to our law enforcement partners, nearly 20 kilograms of this deadly drug – which amounts to millions of lethal doses – have been taken off the street.”
Sucre Almanzar-Alba, 43, was arrested Jan. 13 and charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, the news release said.
“Illicit fentanyl distribution destroys lives and devastates communities," New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a statement. "Today’s federal complaint reflects the unrelenting focus by the NYPD and its law enforcement partners, working together, to rid our city of these and other deadly drugs and to build strong cases against those who would deal in them."
The seizure and arrest had already saved lives, DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy Foley said in a statement.
"Allegedly hidden in Almanzar-Alba’s apartment was the equivalent of nearly 10 million doses of the most dangerous illegal drug to ever hit the streets," Foley said.
Almanzar-Alba was initially arrested by members of the New York Strike Force with about 1 kilogram of fentanyl on his possession.
"Law enforcement later searched Almanzar-Alba’s house and recovered approximately 19 additional kilograms of fentanyl," the news release said.
