New York, NY – Nineteen people have been arrested in a massive drug bust connected to a yearslong narcotics network operating out of Washington Square Park, federal officials announced Thursday. The joint operation between the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) followed an extensive investigation into WSP Enterprise, an organized group accused of distributing millions of doses of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine over nearly five years.
The Incident: Major Crackdown in Washington Square Park
Authorities say Washington Square Park had become an open-air drug market, with WSP Enterprise allegedly controlling narcotics sales throughout the park and surrounding streets. The indictment claims the group’s activities led to at least two fatal overdoses and numerous nonfatal incidents that “created a substantial risk of death.”
According to prosecutors, the victims included an 18-year-old from Colorado and a 43-year-old unhoused man who had lived in the park for years. Both overdosed on fentanyl sold by the same drug ring within a six-month span.
DEA officials said the Thursday arrests marked one of the most significant drug enforcement actions in lower Manhattan in recent years. In response to the ongoing threat, more than two dozen NYPD officers from various precincts are now assigned to 24/7 patrols in and around the park.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Federal investigators allege that members of WSP Enterprise worked in coordinated teams to control the flow of drugs and evade police detection. They developed mutual agreements to “maximize profits” and “minimize internal conflicts,” according to court filings.
“Washington Square Park, like so many of our public spaces, should be a haven for all New Yorkers, not a marketplace for drugs and crime,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The DEA, NYPD, and our law enforcement partners will no longer remain idle as individuals attempt to overtake our neighborhoods with drugs and violence. Those days are over.”
Over the past five years, the 19 defendants have been arrested more than 80 times collectively for drug-related offenses. Emergency medical personnel have also responded to over 65 overdose incidents within the park and surrounding blocks during the same period.
Community Impact and Local Response
The arrests come amid growing concern about public safety, drug use, and homelessness in the historic park — long a gathering place for students, artists, and residents. In March 2025, New York University (NYU) joined a Village Interagency Task Force, a coalition of local lawmakers, nonprofits, and businesses formed to address these issues under an initiative led by Mayor Eric Adams.
NYU spokesperson Joseph Tirella said the university welcomed the new law enforcement measures.
“Since last year, NYU has been an active participant with other local stakeholders, the city, and law enforcement in addressing quality-of-life and safety concerns in and around Washington Square Park,” Tirella said. “We look forward to continuing collective efforts to make improvements.”
Local students say they have noticed increased police presence since the arrests, but some remain skeptical that enforcement alone will solve deeper issues.
Racquel Vallarino, a New York City native and NYU first-year student, told WSN, “There’s always gonna be more drugs. When one goes down, a whole bunch of others pop up.”
Another student, Jisoo Choi, added that while the bust may provide temporary relief, “There’s always stuff happening — it’s just part of city life.”
Broader Context: Fentanyl Crisis and Enforcement Efforts
The bust highlights the continuing fentanyl crisis gripping New York City and much of the country. According to the New York City Department of Health, drug overdose deaths declined in 2023 for the first time in four years, but fentanyl was still responsible for nearly 80% of the city’s 3,046 overdose deaths.
Federal officials say operations like the one at Washington Square Park are part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at dismantling local distribution networks that feed the larger trafficking pipeline. The DEA has identified fentanyl as the leading cause of drug-related deaths in the United States, often mixed into heroin and counterfeit pills without users’ knowledge.
Ongoing Developments and What Comes Next
The 19 individuals charged in the Washington Square Park operation face a range of federal narcotics and conspiracy charges, carrying potential sentences of up to life in prison. Authorities said investigations remain ongoing as prosecutors review connections between the WSP Enterprise and larger supply networks.
In the meantime, increased NYPD patrols and DEA monitoring will continue indefinitely as officials attempt to restore safety to the park.
“This community deserves better,” said Agent Tarentino. “We’re sending a message — Washington Square Park belongs to the people of New York, not to drug dealers.”
Conclusion
The Washington Square Park drug bust underscores the scale of New York City’s ongoing fight against fentanyl and organized street-level trafficking. As authorities continue their crackdown, the challenge remains balancing enforcement with long-term solutions addressing addiction, homelessness, and public safety across Manhattan.
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