Federal enforcement agents busted a Bronx-based narcotics drug ring transporting $11 million worth of heroin to Connecticut and other northern states over the weekend, in what is being called the biggest drug bust of the year, the Associated Press reported.
Two suspected ring leaders, Edualin Tapia and Guillermo Esteban Margarin, were nabbed on Friday as they allegedly drove boxes of heroin to Hartford, New York City's Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said.
Friday's arrests of the two Bronx men came at the end of a six-month investigation which has resulted in the seizure of 53 pounds of heroin, worth $11 million, 20 pounds of cocaine, three guns, including two assault rifles, 200 "Molly" pills and $85,000 in cash, UK MailOnline reported.
After spying the two associates for months, federal authorities were able to observe them at a suspected "heroin mill" in the Bronx on Thursday where the drug is processed and packaged.
"There was always guys coming in late at night," said a woman who lives on the same floor as the alleged horse factory - which, she said, is also home to a mother and two children.
"(The mom) was saying she didn't know anything," added the woman, who would not identify herself but said she saw agents break down the door.
As the two suspects drove to Hartford for a delivery the next day, authorities followed them and were finally able to arrest them after catching them trying to flush the drugs down a sink at a Harford home.
"These arrests cut a pipeline moving huge amounts of heroin from New York City to the Northeast," said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan. "Suppressing the availability of heroin, which is destroying an increasing number of lives, is a top priority."
NYPD Commissioner Bill Brattan thanked the investigators and prosecutors on the case for bringing the massive drug operation to an end, a statement reported.
After being charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy, Tapia and Margarin are currently being held in Connecticut jail.
While both await extradition to New York, it hasn't been made clear whether they had lawyers.
