A Long Island man has been indicted on February 6 for allegedly trafficking five kilograms of Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office stated that the quantity of the drug was enough to cause the death of 2.5 million people, equivalent to the total population of Nassau and Suffolk counties combined. Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney announced on Wednesday that law enforcement officers uncovered the case after intercepting a suspicious package.
The defendant, 39-year-old Adriano Abreu Bonifacio from Deer Park, Long Island, faces charges of “major drug trafficking” and “possession of a controlled substance.” He is accused of receiving a Fentanyl package through an international shipping company in an attempt to bring it into the United States.
Law enforcement successfully intercepted the suspicious package. According to court documents, law enforcement agencies in California raised suspicions about a package sent to Bonifacio’s residence on December 17, 2024, with a fictitious recipient name. Subsequently, UPS transferred the package to the Suffolk County police for further investigation.
The Suffolk County police’s drug detection dog “Champ” alerted to the presence of drugs in the package, and further testing confirmed the presence of five kilograms of Fentanyl. The New York Drug Enforcement Task Force arranged for an undercover officer to pose as a delivery person and deliver the package to Bonifacio’s residence on December 18.
Upon the undercover officer’s arrival, Bonifacio pointed to the white package labeled with the name “Miguel Perez” on the outer packaging, claiming it was the expected shipment. However, there was no resident named “Miguel Perez” at the address. When asked if he was “Miguel Perez,” Bonifacio asserted he was a friend of the individual and was authorized to sign for the package on their behalf. Nevertheless, when he presented his New York state driver’s license for verification, law enforcement promptly arrested him.
Laboratory tests confirmed that the package indeed contained five kilograms of Fentanyl, a dosage sufficient to cause the death of 2.5 million people, nearly equal to the total population of Nassau and Suffolk counties.
On February 5, 2025, Bonifacio was formally charged in front of Judge Philip Goglas at Suffolk County Courthouse with the following offenses: (1) first-degree drug trafficking (Class A felony); (2) first-degree possession of a controlled substance (Class A felony); (3) third-degree possession of a controlled substance (Class B felony).
Judge Goglas ruled that Bonifacio must post $500,000 bail in cash, $1 million in bond, or $5 million in partial bond to be released. He is scheduled to appear in court again on March 13, 2025, and if convicted of the most severe charges, he could face 15 years to life imprisonment.
Currently, Bonifacio is represented by attorney Javier Solano, who has not yet provided comments on the case. District Attorney Tierney emphasized the authorities’ determination to combat Fentanyl, stating that his office will continue to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute those importing this deadly drug into the community.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin, leading to easily fatal overdose. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office urges the public to remain vigilant and work together to prevent such drugs from infiltrating the community. ◇