Exploring the Shocking Discovery: Hidden Fentanyl Stash Unveiled at Niño Divino Daycare in the Bronx
In a startling turn of events following the tragic overdose death of a 1-year-old child, the NYPD has made a shocking discovery at a Bronx daycare center. During a recent search, law enforcement officers uncovered a secret door concealing a cache of fentanyl, exposing a dark underbelly of illegal drug distribution operating within the premises.
Unveiling the Secret Door: A Disturbing Find
Located right in the heart of a playroom, this hidden trap door yielded a disturbing inventory of fentanyl, alongside other narcotics and drug paraphernalia. The revelation came to light during an ongoing investigation into the Divino Niño Daycare Center, which has now taken a sinister turn with federal prosecutors alleging its involvement in a full-blown fentanyl distribution conspiracy.
Key Findings: A Kilogram of Fentanyl and More
Earlier in the investigation, authorities discovered a kilogram of deadly fentanyl discreetly stashed atop children’s playmats. This shocking discovery was accompanied by the recovery of a kilo press, a device primarily used for packaging narcotics, as detailed in a federal criminal complaint filed just days ago.
Facing the Allegations: Operators in Hot Water
Grei Mendez, the operator of the daycare center, and Carlisto Acevedo Brito, her cousin-in-law who rented a room within the facility, now find themselves at the center of federal prosecution. They stand accused of orchestrating a fentanyl distribution operation right under the nose of the daycare’s unsuspecting clientele.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, expressed his outrage, stating, “As alleged, instead of diligently safeguarding the well-being of those children, she and her co-conspirators put them directly in harm’s way, running a narcotics operation and storing deadly fentanyl out of the very space in which the children ate, slept, and played.”
A Race Against Time: Covering Up the Operation
Prosecutors claim that Mendez and Brito made frantic efforts to conceal their illicit drug operation, even as three young children faced life-threatening drug exposure. On September 15, when Mendez discovered the children’s exposure, she immediately contacted her husband and another co-conspirator before dialing 911. Surveillance footage captured her husband hastily removing several shopping bags through a back alley just moments before the arrival of law enforcement.
Adding to the intrigue, Mendez deleted a staggering 21,526 messages from an encrypted messaging app, including texts advising her husband to seek legal counsel and discussing police inquiries about him. As a result, her husband now finds himself sought after by the NYPD for questioning.
A Defender’s Perspective
Andres Manuel Aranda, Mendez’s attorney, offered a glimpse into her perspective, stating, “I don’t know the exact sequence of events that transpired. But she did call him and she was asking for his help, and he disappeared.” Aranda emphasized that Mendez had no knowledge of the drugs concealed within the daycare, asserting, “She feels horrible about what happened. She is very distraught and feels that the children are victims, and she’s a victim as well.”
Tragedy Strikes: The Toll of Fentanyl Exposure
On the fateful afternoon of September 15, first responders arrived at the daycare center to discover three children exhibiting signs of fentanyl exposure. Thanks to prompt intervention, a 2-year-old and an 8-month-old were successfully revived after receiving Narcan. However, the 1-year-old victim, Nicholas Dominici, tragically succumbed to the overdose at the hospital. Another child who had also experienced exposure to the potent drug was previously rushed to the hospital earlier that same day.
Legal Consequences: Facing Serious Charges
Mendez and Brito now find themselves entangled in a web of legal complications. They are charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics, resulting in death, and narcotics distribution leading to death. Currently, both are being held in custody without the possibility of bail.
The uncovering of a hidden fentanyl stash at the Niño Divino daycare in the Bronx has sent shockwaves through the community. This harrowing incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal drug operations and the devastating consequences they can have on innocent lives. The legal process will now determine the fate of those involved in this disturbing case, while the memory of young Nicholas Dominici serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of safeguarding our children from such perils.
