Baby Found Next To Kilo Of Cocaine In Drug Trafficking Bust: DA

Three individuals were arrested for their involvement in a cocaine distribution ring in Huntington Station that led authorities to finding a kilo of cocaine concealed in close proximity to a newborn during the course of the investigation, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini announced on Wednesday.

Two men and one woman were arraigned on a 47-count indictment following an 18 month-long investigation into the alleged drug trafficking ring:

• Adrian Bonilla, 40, of Huntington Station
• Neftali Camacho Hernandez, 27, of Huntington Station
• Jennifer Perez Cordero, 28, of Huntington Station

Bonilla is accused of operating as a major drug trafficker and supplying crack cocaine and powder cocaine to Hernandez, who sold the drugs in Huntington Station, the DA says. Both men are alleged members of the Latin Kings street gang. Cordero was involved in the packaging and distribution of narcotics in concert with Bonilla and Hernandez, the DA says.

Bonilla and Cordero face up to life in prison if convicted of the top charges. Bonilla was previously sentenced in 2015 to serve 6 years in federal prison for running a cocaine distribution ring. His bail was set at $2 million cash.

“This indictment should serve as a warning to drug dealers who operate in Suffolk County that law enforcement is coming for you," Sini said in a press release. “These are serious charges; two of these defendants are facing up to life in prison if convicted."

On November 2, officials executed search warrants at three locations in Huntington Station, resulting in the seizure of one kilogram of cocaine, 18 grams of crack cocaine, approximately $66,207 cash, packaging materials and digital scales, the DA says.

In one of the locations affiliated with Bonilla and Cordero, the kilogram of cocaine was found concealed underneath a bed, which was located next to a one-month-old infant in a bassinet, the DA says.

“Working undercover, agents and officers seized thousands of individual doses as well as a bulk amount of cocaine found adjacent to a bassinet holding a baby," Acting DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Kruskall said.

The investigation into this alleged drug trafficking ring began in April 2017. Authorities made 19 covert purchases of cocaine from Hernandez during that time, the DA says. Authorities used electronic surveillance, physical surveillance and the use of covert narcotics purchases during the course of the investigation.

Bonilla and Hernandez are accused of selling approximately one-third of a kilogram of cocaine per month, which is 650 individual doses at one-half of a gram each. They charged $50 per one-half gram bag of cocaine, earning up to $32,500 per month, the DA says.

Bonilla is charged with operating as a major trafficker, first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

Hernandez is charged with second-degree conspiracy in the second degree, 19 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, 19 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.

Cordero is charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree conspiracy, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. She faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

Bail was set for Bonilla at $2,000,000 cash or $4,000,000 bond. Bail was set for Hernandez at $1,000,000 cash or $3,000,000 bond. Bail was set for Cordero at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond.

All three individuals are due back in court on Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Images via SCDA: (l-r) Adrian Bonilla, Jennifer Perez Cordero and Neftali Camacho Hernandez