First Known Meth Conversion Lab In NYC Busted By Drug Cops

NEW YORK CITY — A Bronx drug raid unveiled a scene that wouldn't be out of place on Breaking Bad: methamphetamine crystals straining over a stove, wrapped packages of drugs, pills and chemicals hanging in the air.

The bust uncovered what authorities called New York City's first known meth conversion lab — an operation used to turn essentially raw methamphetamine into refined crystal meth. They found 22 pounds of methamphetamine, 45 grams of heroin, 2,000 pills and arrested three men on drug-related charges, authorities said.

The makeshift lab was located inside a Kingsbridge Avenue apartment across from Milton Fein elementary school and near two other schools, according to a release.

“It is rare – and extremely dangerous - to discover a methamphetamine conversion lab in a densely populated area like New York City," Bridget G. Brennan, the city's special narcotics prosecutor, said in a statement. "Improperly handled chemicals emit toxic fumes, spark fires and can even explode. In this case, the lab was located in a large, six-story apartment building, directly across the street from a public elementary school."

DEA agents and NYPD officers carried out the bust Feb. 3 after extensive surveillance outside the apartment, authorities said.

Drug cops had watched three men — Luis Reyes, 26, Inoel Acosta, 35, and Angel Zepeda, 49 — continually walk inside and out of Apt. 6A within the 3204 Kingsbridge Ave. apartment building, a release states. The men sometimes carried gallon drums of acetone or other large containers, authorities said.

The apartment itself was supposed to be vacant, authorities said. But after cops detained Acosta and Reyes they went inside the abode and were immediately greeted by the smell of acetone, a release states.

"Agents and officers found a large metal pot on the stove burner with a sifter containing crystal meth," a release states. "In addition, 12 bricks (weighing approximately 20 pounds) of methamphetamine powder in reusable shopping bags were located under the sink. Law enforcement recovered clear plastic bags containing crystal meth (approximately 2 pounds), approximately 45 grams of heroin, and thousands of pills from a cabinet above the sink."

Pills found in the raid appeared to be oxycodone and Percocet, but authorities suspect they could be counterfeits, according to the release.

The cops continued to watch the apartment over the next week, during which they saw Zepeda — the building's superintendent — carry chemicals and other supplies inside, according to a release. Authorities arrested Zepeda on Feb. 11.

They also safely dismantled the lab, which contained toxic chemicals that pose health risks and could ignite or explode, authorities said.