# Major cocaine seizure in Queens, New York

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/major-cocaine-seizure-in-queens-new-york
> Updated: 2026-09-01T22:59:53.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD and DEA, conducted a major narcotics operation targeting an interstate drug trafficking network operating between New York and New Jersey. The investigation culminated in a raid on a self-storage facility in Queens, where authorities seized approximately 580 to 586 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $10 million.

Nelson Salcedo, a 35-year-old resident of Englewood, New Jersey, was arrested during the operation. Investigators reported that the case grew from a prior narcotics investigation in Fort Lee, New Jersey, which had uncovered 33 pounds of cocaine. 

Officials noted that the seizure represents one of the largest cocaine busts in the region in decades. The DEA indicated the supply chain has connections to drug cartels, and the narcotics were believed to be intended for distribution throughout the tri-state area.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: Queens storage facility seizure yields $10M in cocaine

Police seized nearly 600 pounds of cocaine worth $10 million from a Queens storage facility, leading to the arrest of a New Jersey man linked to a suspected cartel distribution network.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/queens-storage-facility-seizure-yields-10m-in-cocaine

### 2026-08-28: NYPD seizes 580 pounds of cocaine in decade-high bust

The NYPD seized 580 pounds of cocaine worth over $10 million in Queens, marking its largest narcotics bust in a decade and dismantling an interstate trafficking network.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taoyuan-authorities-crack-down-on-drug-crimes-and-enhance-school-prevention

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Cite as: Major cocaine seizure in Queens, New York. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/major-cocaine-seizure-in-queens-new-york