Yonkers man charged in drug-smuggling operation

NEW YORK – A Yonkers man was among several people arrested Thursday and accused of trafficking drugs hidden in children's bedding from Puerto Rico to New York City via the U.S. Postal Service.

Much of the evidence was seized during raids at two day care centers, officials said.

Juan Valdez, 45, was arrested at the Bronx home of a family member that also houses the Sweet Home day care, said Bridget G. Brennan, New York City's special narcotics prosecutor.

Valez, the alleged ringleader of the cocaine and oxycodone smuggling operation, was found Thursday with $7,500 in cash, authorities said. His home at 377 N. Broadway was one of several stash locations used by the drug ring, authorities said.

The narcotics were sometimes concealed in "SpongeBob SquarePants" bedding, authorities said.

Also arrested Thursday were Juan Bernal and Ada Padilla.

On Sept. 11, 2013, agents searched 1499 Rosedale Ave. in the Bronx, the residence of Gregorio Hanley and his wife, Johanna Vasquez, which housed the day care center Fun World Childcare, which served as a cover for the drug operation, authorities said. They were arrested.

Since 2009, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service has seized packages containing more than 23 kilos of cocaine worth about $1.4 million linked to Valdez's organization.

Charges in the indictment relate to nearly $300,000 in drugs seized from the ring since August 2013, including 4 kilos of cocaine and 1,000 pills of oxycodone. Authorities also recovered about $400,000 in criminal proceeds and a firearm.

The narcotics were sometimes concealed in items designed for children, authorities said. Investigators believe the group smuggled between 5 and 10 kilos of cocaine into New York City each month, with each kilo carrying an estimated street value of $60,000.

Valdez faces felony charges including conspiracy, sale and possession of controlled substances, weapons possession, money laundering and other crimes.