PICS: Police seize $1.5M worth of heroin, fentanyl in Queens drug bust

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Tabletop packaging mill discovered during the raid. Photo credit Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force recovered more than 11 pounds of heroin and fentanyl with an estimated street value of over $1.5 million during a raid on two apartments in Maspeth, officials say.

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Agents from the DEA, NYPD and New York State Police raided a basement and second floor apartment at 51-66 48th St. near Calvary Cemetery on Tuesday at around 9:35 p.m., arresting Argeliz Nunez, Pablo Rodriguez and Tiesha Cruz in the process, according to police.

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Filled baggies. Photo credit Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York

Police say the trio were arrested as they left their apartment building. Agents allegedly recovered a loaded gun from Rodriguez’s pocket.

The task force says members found loose and packaged narcotics, alongside baggies seized for individual doses and mail addressed to Nunez and Rodriguez.

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One of the confiscated guns. Photo credit Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York

In addition to the gun found on Rodriguez, police say they seized four vehicles they suspect are associated with the organization and a handgun.

Rodriguez and Cruz were arraigned in Manhattan criminal court Thursday for charges of controlled substance possession, criminal weapon possession and criminal use of drug paraphernalia.

Nunez’s arraignment is pending.

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Stamps used for branding the drugs. Photo credit Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York