Nearly 40 pounds of drugs were seized from a swanky luxury apartment in Hell’s Kitchen this week in an operation that stopped $1.1 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine from being distributed on the city’s streets.
Police arrested Giovani Salas, 29, and Sergio Peralta, 34, on March 12 on charges of first-, second- and third-degree possession of a controlled substance.
The two men appeared to have ties to Mexico, according to the identification documents they had with them.
The arrests came after a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking in the Big Apple, including the New York City Police Department, New York State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
A joint effort led investigators to an upscale residential building at 550 West 54th Street where the drugs were recovered. Apartments available in the building range from $3,845 for a studio to $8,150 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence. According to StreetEasy.
Police spotted Salas coming out of the apartment on Tuesday around 5:47 p.m. He took the elevator to the lobby, where he was detained by agents and police officers.
When authorities searched Peralta, they found a wallet containing Peralta’s identification and a key that allegedly opened the door to his 27th-floor apartment, police said.
At 5:55 p.m., members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force (NYDETF) entered the apartment to conduct a court-authorized search, where they located and arrested Peralta.
DEA
Investigators recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine, a powerful illegal methamphetamine, and more than eight pounds of cocaine stuffed into a suitcase in a bedroom closet.
A backpack containing approximately $27,880 in cash was also discovered.
Agents and officers also seized Peralta’s Mexican passport and expired U.S. visa/border crossing card, as well as Salas’ Mexican voter registration, Colorado driver’s license, and U.S. passport.
NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban said, “The charges stemming from this incident are a sign that the NYPD, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the law are committed to thoroughly investigating individuals allegedly involved in New York City’s illegal drug trade.” “This demonstrates the unwavering commitment of all of our executive partners.” statement.
“This arrest sends a clear message that we will continue to be relentless in capturing toxic substances before they are released into our neighborhoods.”
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Stephen G. James accused the suspects of endangering the entire community.
“These people had no regard for the danger they or this operation posed to this community,” James said in a statement.
“Today’s charges are the result of an aggressive strategy to disrupt the illegal drug trade and remove deadly substances from our streets.”
Mr. Peralta and Mr. Salas were arraigned Wednesday night in Manhattan Criminal Court. Both men are being held on Rikers Island on $75,000 bail or $100,000 bail.
They are next scheduled to appear in court on March 18, but it was not immediately known whether they had retained attorneys.
