Traffic Stop Leads to Heroin, Fentanyl Mill in Bronx

File Photo

By Dan Gesslein 

Bronx Voice 

November 21, 2022 

BRONX - A simple traffic stop led to the discovery of two pounds of fentanyl under the driver’s seat and that led to the discovery of a heroin/fentanyl mill being run out of the man’s Riverdale. Now prosecutors say that man will spend the next 16 years in prison for running the drug trafficking operation.

Ariel Jimenez, 37, of 4570 Henry Hudson Parkway, was sentenced to 16 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. A jury found the defendant guilty of three counts of first-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, second-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and three counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, with intent to sell a narcotic, on November 16, 2021. 

Jimenez was caught inside a car outside his home during a joint NYPD/DEA investigation. Law enforcement busted him during what appeared to be a drug deal inside the car with a known drug trafficker. During a search of the car, cops found two pounds of fentanyl under the driver’s seat. Officials said Jimenez tried to stash the drugs as cops arrived. 

A search warrant revealed that Jimenez was running a drug packaging mill out of his Riverdale home. Cops seized two pounds heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, ketamine and Tramadol in one room and another 4.5 pounds of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in another room. The larger amount of drugs were broken down into smaller amounts for sale. Cops also seized kilogram press, a blender, heavy duty tape, strainers, breathing ventilators, nitrile gloves, cellophane wrap, vacuum sealer, scales, a drug ledger, measuring cups and bottles.

“Fentanyl is killing Bronxites, and destroys the lives of its victims and their families,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark. “With this sentencing, there is one less person on our streets selling deadly drugs. My Office will continue our efforts to keep these narcotics off the streets by pursuing and prosecuting those who harm our community. I thank our partners at the NYPD and Drug Enforcement Administration for working with us in this investigation.”