A man was detained in Brooklyn following an investigation that culminated in the seizure of over 85 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded weapons, and nearly $420,000, prosecutors said Tuesday.
George Capella, 45, was arrested on Dec. 4, after an eight-month wiretap investigation dubbed “Operation Interstate Powder,” authorities said.
The charges against him included acting as a major trafficker, possessing a controlled substance illegally, possessing a weapon illegally, and using drug paraphernalia illegally.
During the investigation, officials set up surveillance at Capella’s Leonard Street home in Williamsburg. He took what appeared to be two kilogram-sized bags of narcotics from a black Honda Accord parked outside his building on December 4, at noon.
At around 4 p.m., Capella exited the residence and drove away in a Lincoln Aviator with a New Jersey license plate. He then entered the bottom floor of the building through a door next to the driveway.
Authorities pulled over the Lincoln near 80 Meserole St., apprehended Capella, and found seven telephones.
After obtaining court-authorized search warrants, agents examined Capella’s Honda Accord and Lincoln Aviator, as well as his Leonard Street home.
During the search of the Honda, authorities claimed to have discovered roughly 33 kilogram-sized packets of cocaine and over six kilograms of fentanyl, as well as eight loaded weapons concealed within a secret compartment and one imitation pistol.
They also seized about $420,000.
Inside the Lincoln, a scale that looked to be smeared with drug residue and another cellphone were discovered.
Officials also discovered further quantities of medicines and packaging equipment, including a kilogram press machine, scale, and a variety of stamps, inside his home.
The DEA laboratory found 33 kilos of cocaine labeled “MOËT” and “AMIRI,” as well as over six kilograms of fentanyl with Louis Vuitton emblems inside the Honda.
“The recovery of over 85 pounds of cocaine and fentanyl, eight loaded guns and $420,000 in a residential neighborhood of Williamsburg is startling, even to seasoned investigators,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said.
“Money, drugs and paraphernalia seized from the defendant’s cars and home have all the hallmarks of a major drug packaging and distribution operation. Prosecutors and investigators put tremendous effort into tracking this drug importation and distribution operation over eight months. Their determination and long hours undoubtedly saved many lives,” she added.