Brooklyn, New York – A major narcotics trafficking operation using a neighborhood sports bar as its hidden base was exposed this month after authorities seized 26 pounds of cocaine, nearly $100,000 in cash, and a firearm during coordinated raids across Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Four men now face serious felony charges as investigators outline a months-long operation centered at a Bushwick bar.
Incident Overview
According to officials, the sports bar located at 1204 Halsey Street in Bushwick was being used as a concealed narcotics stash location. The discovery was made after a court-authorized search on November 14, 2025, which uncovered 12 kilograms of cocaine packaged in brick form, substantial cash bundles, and tools commonly used in drug distribution.
Authorities revealed that the operation extended beyond the bar. Searches of two residences in Queens and the Bronx resulted in the recovery of an additional .380 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol and high-end jewelry worth about $100,000, further linking the defendants to ongoing drug activity.
Timeline of Events
Investigators conducted extensive surveillance at the Bushwick location for more than a month, observing the defendants visiting three or more times each week. Agents noted that the men would stay for hours and routinely enter and exit carrying bags.
On November 13, 2025, investigators saw all four men inside the bar. Between 11 p.m. and 11:40 p.m., the men exited at staggered intervals. Officers detained them and secured the location while awaiting a search warrant.
The next afternoon, on November 14, officers entered the basement-level room of the sports bar—an area not accessible to the public—and found the narcotics and cash carefully hidden in duffle bags, shoeboxes, and on a table equipped with a money-counting machine.
Details from Police and Officials
Investigators charged Daniel Camareno, Jose Acevedo, Adelfy Acevedo, and Felipe Lopez with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, based on the significant narcotics recovered. Jose Acevedo faces an additional charge for Criminal Possession of a Firearm after a pistol was recovered from his Queens residence.
Authorities emphasized the importance of multi-agency cooperation in dismantling this operation.
“I commend the agents and investigators for their professionalism and thank them for seizing dangerous narcotics and a firearm,”
— Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan
“We will work tirelessly to continue to put these traffickers out of business,”
— DEA Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James
“These defendants allegedly turned a sports bar into a stash house… it is game over for this illegal operation,”
— NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch
Key Facts
- Four defendants: Daniel Camareno, Jose Acevedo, Adelfy Acevedo, Felipe Lopez
- Drugs seized: 12 kilograms (26 pounds) of cocaine
- Cash seized: Nearly $100,000
- Firearm: .380 caliber Smith & Wesson recovered
- Jewelry: Approx. $100,000 hidden in a speaker
- Primary location: 1204 Halsey Street, Bushwick
- Search date: November 14, 2025
- Charges: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (First Degree); Firearm possession
Witness Accounts and Observations
Though no civilian witnesses were cited, investigative teams noted frequent late-night movements at the bar, along with suspicious repeated visits by the defendants. Officers stated that when Lopez was stopped, he had keys that allegedly unlocked the hidden basement room, confirming access to the stash location.
Additionally, cash found on Jose Acevedo at the time of arrest was bundled in the same style as the money recovered in the basement, helping investigators connect the dots between the suspects and the narcotics operation.
How Stash Houses Operate
Drug trafficking organizations often disguise distribution points as regular neighborhood businesses—such as bars, barbershops, or repair shops—to avoid detection and blend into busy urban environments. These operations typically rely on:
- Controlled access rooms
- Frequent but irregular visits
- Cash-heavy environments
- Lookouts or rotating personnel
Cases such as this highlight the importance of community vigilance and multi-agency cooperation in identifying suspicious activity that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Public Safety Awareness
Large-scale narcotics operations pose significant risks to nearby residents, including violent crime, weapons trafficking, and threats to public safety. Authorities advise communities to:
- Report unusual late-night activity
- Note repeated short visits involving bag exchanges
- Stay alert to businesses with restricted-access back rooms
Law enforcement stresses that timely reporting can help dismantle operations before they expand.
Conclusion
The takedown of this Bushwick narcotics hub marks a significant victory for investigators and community safety efforts. With drugs, cash, weapons, and trafficking records recovered, authorities say they have successfully disrupted a major supply chain operating within a seemingly harmless neighborhood bar.
Have you noticed similar suspicious activity in your neighborhood? Share your experiences in the comments below.
