December 15
An alleged narcotics dealer tossed a handful of deadly fentanyl powder at a cop investigating a Bronx drug packaging mill, authorities said Thursday.
Members of the New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Strike Force burst into 304 Willis Ave. with a search warrant on November 7.
They found seven alleged dealers in the apartment surrounded by a large quantity of heroin and fentanyl packaged into 20,000 single-dose glassine envelopes stamped with the "HBO" logo.
As the authorities tried to secure the apartment, Christian Rojas grabbed a handful of loose powder and flung it in a cop's face.
"The officer exhibited fentanyl-related symptoms, including nausea and shortness of breath and was treated by emergency responders," the city's Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor said in a statement.
Another officer was sickened by the airborne powder and briefly lost consciousness, officials said. Two additional cops became ill from inhaling the dangerous substance.
The seven alleged dealers — Christian Rojas, Nassar Lacewell, Francisco Payano, Mario Guerreo, Jose Gonzalez, Freddy Roja and Margaret Payano — were indicted on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminally using drug paraphernalia. They're scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Rojas, who is being held on $150,000 cash or bond, faces an additional six counts of assault, attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer and reckless endangerment.
FDLE criminal probe of Starke Police: Guns, money, drugs among 2,500 pieces of missing evidence April 3rd, 2024 STARKE, Fla. — Action News Jax's Ben Becker is getting answers about a Northeast Florida...
Former Nyssa chief convicted of misconduct, sentenced to jail, loses badge April 3rd, 2024 Ray Rau, Tillamook police chief and former chief in Nyssa, was convicted of official misconduct Wednesday for...
'Breach of trust': Former state trooper strikes plea deal in evidence room theft case April 5th, 2024 Giancarlo DiGenova, who resigned his position last year, received a probationary sentence Friday a...