A Surprising Discovery in Queens Storage Facility Unveils $10 Million Worth of Cocaine
A seemingly ordinary storage facility in Queens turned out to be hiding something much more valuable than typical storage items, as revealed by recent reports from The New York Post and NBC New York.
Authorities made a significant discovery of nearly 600 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $10 million at a self-storage location in Long Island City, marking one of the most substantial drug seizures in New York City in decades.
The investigation led to the arrest of Nelson Salcedo, 35, from Englewood, New Jersey, on August 26. He was apprehended as he was about to transport another load from the facility, with 19 cardboard boxes containing 230 brick-like packages found in and around his van.
The total weight of the suspected cocaine amounted to approximately 586 pounds.
Preliminary testing confirmed the substance as cocaine, with further lab analysis pending. Investigators suspect the drugs were part of a wider distribution network spanning between New Jersey and New York, with DEA indicating ties to cartels in the supply chain.
The NY Post report stated that the case originated from a separate narcotics investigation in New Jersey. Authorities had previously seized 33 pounds of cocaine, around $170,000 in cash, and a firearm in Fort Lee. This led to Salcedo being monitored and followed by detectives.
Prosecutors claim Salcedo had transported boxes from the Long Island City facility on two prior occasions, on August 12 and August 19, delivering them near the northern end of Central Park. Law enforcement intervened when he returned for another shipment on August 26.
Authorities believe the quantity seized indicates the cocaine was intended for further processing and distribution rather than immediate sale. This seizure marks the NYPD’s largest cocaine confiscation in a decade and the most significant handled by the Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s office in over 20 years.
Three individuals, including Salcedo, have been arrested in connection with the broader investigation. Another individual suspected of receiving previous shipments remains at large.
Salcedo faces charges of first- and second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.