Almost 700 pounds of cocaine with an estimated value of $20 million has been seized in one of the largest drug busts in Long Island’s history. Officials discovered the haul last week during a surveillance operation at a Holiday Inn car park in Plainview, New York. Police believe they witnessed a drug deal and spotted cocaine on the front seat of a truck after approaching it.
The vehicle contained two men, Michael Viera and Daniel Santana, who were later identified by authorities. On Tuesday, officials held a news conference at Nassau County Police Headquarters in Mineola to highlight the scale of the seizure, displaying hundreds of pounds of cocaine for media coverage. Both suspects have been charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first and third degrees. Potential sentences range from 20 years in prison.
Prosecutors are now seeking to elevate charges to drug trafficking. Officials stated that both men are from Florida but had previously resided in Puerto Rico, where they faced homicide charges. The suspects have been remanded in jail as investigations continue. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman called the operation ‘unprecedented for the region’, describing it as ‘one of the largest, if not the largest, drug busts we’ve ever had on Long Island.’