In a shocking revelation, a hidden cache of narcotics, including the lethal drug fentanyl was unearthed at a Bronx daycare center. This grim discovery foreshadows unpalatable secrets behind the untimely demise of a one-year-old boy last week, under the suspicion of a fentanyl overdose, recently announced by the New York City Police Department (NYPD).
The illicit trove was discovered on Wednesday in a concealed floor space beneath a play area, following receipt of a search warrant to inspect the establishment. The confiscated contraband weighed between eight to ten kilograms, reportedly packaged in brick-like formations, an anonymous law official disclosed.
In addition to finding other unspecific narcotics, drug paraphernalia was also seized. The NYPD released photographs exposing the camouflaged floor, unveiling a makeshift wooden door that opened to a hidden crevice, housing substances in bundles ensconced within the floorboards.
Thursday saw a New York City grand jury deciding to indict Grei Mendez, age 36, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, age 41, both suspected of orchestrating the lethal fentanyl overdose that occured on September 15. Bronx District Attorney, Darcel Clark, informed the public of the jury’s consensus. No specific charges were cited by Clark, due to the indictment being sealed, though it is anticipated to soon be available to the public.
Last week’s tragic victim, the one-year-old Nicholas Dominici, had allegedly been exposed to the fatal fentanyl at the Divino Niño daycare center. Alongside Nicholas, three other minors comprising two two-year-old boys, and an eight-month-old girl, were victims of the suspected drug exposure, needing hospitalization for the treatment of acute opioid intoxication.
Investigating officers traced a kilogram of fentanyl in the room, routinely used by the children for their siesta. Further discovered evidence suggested that the daycare may not have been functioning merely as a childcare center, according to Clark.
As per Damian Williams, a US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mendez and Brito, with the support of others, seemingly operated a fentanyl dispersion syndicate from the building, which also housed the daycare. The suspects are believed to have held mid-level roles in the drug-dealing chain, entrusted with dutifully mixing fentanyl with either other drugs or common household substances such as baby powder.
Authorities are also on the lookout for an additional male suspect, allegedly Mendez’s spouse. Allegedly captured in video footage, this unnamed suspect was seen exiting the daycare center, possessing what authorities believe to be plastic bags storing fentanyl.
Mendez, the owner and operator of the daycare center and Brito, chose not to testify before the grand jury and did not appear in a hearing on Thursday, declared their legal representatives. Court files indicate Brito, revealed to be the cousin of Mendez’s spouse, also resided within the daycare center.
Federal charges filed against the suspects included conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, and possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death, according to a document issued by the Southern District of New York on Monday. On the strength of these charges, both suspects, Mendez and Brito, currently face the prospect of life imprisonment. They had been previously arraigned on charges encompassing murder, manslaughter, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in state court.
