Three alleged drug traffickers face charges in connection with using UPS package delivery services to smuggle large loads of cocaine into New York City. Two separate investigations resulted in the seizure of a combined total of 30 kilograms of cocaine (over 66 pounds) in Brooklyn and Manhattan as charged in an indictment and criminal complaint filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP). The cocaine carried an estimated street value of $900,000.
Joshua VARGAS was arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court yesterday on a newly unsealed indictment, which contains charges related to the seizure of approximately 11 kilograms of cocaine in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn on July 15, 2026. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Task Force Division (DEA-NYTFD) Group T-23, with assistance from SNP’s Investigators Unit, uncovered another eight kilograms of cocaine shipped in an additional package with delivery intended for the same Brooklyn address.
A second investigation, conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Task Force, with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Enforcement Division (DEA-NYED) Group D-32, resulted in the arrests of Tyrone WATTS and Ines ZOUICHE in Kips Bay, Manhattan on July 27, 2026. Approximately 11 kilograms of cocaine were recovered from a UPS package. More than $4,000 cash and three allegedly forged driver’s licenses were also seized. Two children were present at the time of the arrests…