NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A Long Island man was indicted for allegedly trafficking five kilograms of fentanyl, enough to kill 2.5 million people, after authorities intercepted a suspicious package, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Adriano Abreu Bonifacio, 39, of Deer Park, was charged with operating as a major trafficker and criminal possession of a controlled substance after allegedly accepting a shipment of fentanyl through a multinational shipping company, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
"This indictment represents our office's unwavering commitment to combating the fentanyl overdose crisis," Tierney said. "Our office will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who import and distribute this poison into our community."
According to court documents, police became aware of the package on Dec. 17, 2024, when it was flagged by California law enforcement before being shipped to Bonifacio's home under a pseudonym. UPS later turned the package over to the Suffolk County Police Department for investigation.
A narcotics-trained police dog named Champ alerted officers to the presence of drugs inside the package, and further examination confirmed it contained five kilograms of fentanyl.
On Dec. 18, 2024, an undercover officer posed as a delivery driver to deliver the package to Bonifacio. When the officer arrived, Bonifacio allegedly pointed to a white box addressed to a "Miguel Perez" and indicated it was the package he was expecting.
Authorities later determined that no one by that name lived at the home. When the officer asked if Bonifacio was "Miguel Perez," Bonifacio allegedly responded that he was a friend of the intended recipient and that "Miguel Perez" had authorized him to accept the package.
Bonifacio was arrested after he allegedly accepted the package and provided his New York State driver's license to the undercover officer for verification. A lab analysis later confirmed the package contained five kilograms of fentanyl.
Bonifacio was held on a $1 million bond. If convicted on the top charge, he faces 15 years to life in prison. If convicted on the top charge, he faces 15 years to life in prison.
