Shocking Discovery: NYPD Uncovers Secret Drug Hideout Beneath Bronx Day Care After Tragic Toddler Overdose
Police find drugs, including fentanyl, hidden in a secret trap door at a Bronx day care center where a tragic 1-year-old overdose occurred, according to New York Police Department officials
A trap floor containing drugs, including fentanyl, was discovered in a Bronx day care center where a 1-year-old boy died of a suspected fentanyl overdose last week, as announced by the New York Police Department on Thursday.
On Wednesday, authorities found the drugs under a play area in the center after obtaining a search warrant to search the facility, the NYPD reported. The drugs, weighing approximately eight to ten kilograms, were packaged as bricks, disclosed a law enforcement official.
Police reported finding additional illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia, although they did not provide details about the specific substances. The trap floor, as depicted in the NYPD's released photos, featured a crude wooden door that had been opened, revealing substances neatly wrapped in baggies concealed within the floorboards.
The NYPD says a large quantity of fentanyl and other narcotics were discovered in a trap floor in the play area of the day care center.
From NYPD News/X
Grei Mendez, 36, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, have been indicted by a New York City grand jury on Thursday for their involvement in the fatal fentanyl overdose incident that occurred on September 15. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark confirmed this development, stating that the grand jury has returned a true bill. Clark did not disclose the specific charges as the indictment is currently sealed, but she mentioned that it will be made public in the near future.
Last week, a tragic incident occurred at Divino Niño day care center, resulting in the death of one-year-old Nicholas Dominici. It is suspected that he was exposed to fentanyl. Additionally, three other children, two 2-year-old boys, and an 8-month-old girl, were hospitalized due to their exposure to the suspected fentanyl, which led to acute opioid intoxication, as previously reported by CNN.
Grei Mendez is the day care center's owner and operator
Theodore Parisienne/NY Daily News/Getty Images
Investigators said they discovered a kilogram of fentanyl in an area where children napped at the day care center.
"Thursday, Clark stated that further evidence has surfaced, reinforcing the belief that this establishment was far beyond a mere day care center."
Damian Williams, a US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, revealed that Mendez, Brito, and several other accomplices operated a fentanyl distribution enterprise from the same premises occupied by the day care.
Carlisto Acevedo-Brito lived in a bedroom within the day care facility and is related to Mendez's husband.
According to a federal law enforcement official, investigators have determined that the suspects were intermediate drug distributors who had been assigned the duty of diluting fentanyl using other drugs or common household products such as baby powder.
Investigators are currently in pursuit of a third male individual, assumed to be the spouse of Mendez. Although the suspect has not yet been identified publicly, it is evident from surveillance footage that he departed from the premises while clutching plastic bags that law enforcement authorities suspect may contain fentanyl.
Attorneys for Mendez,
, decided to excuse their clients from appearing in a hearing on Thursday and stated that they would not be testifying before the grand jury.
Suspect Grei Mendez is the owner and operator of the day care, according to court documents.
WCBS
Suspects involved in the Bronx day care overdose incidents, which resulted in the death of one child and illness of three others, are reportedly believed to be individuals involved in drug distribution, as per a federal source.
Based on court documents, Brito is identified as the cousin of Mendez's spouse and also resides as a tenant in one of the bedrooms at the day care facility.
The suspects have been federally charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death, as stated in a complaint filed on Monday in the Southern District of New York.
According to court documents, Mendez and Brito could potentially face life imprisonment for the federal charges. Additionally, the suspects had previously faced charges in state court for murder, manslaughter, assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
CNNs Artemis Moshtaghian, Celina Tebor, John Miller and Holly Yan contributed to this report.
