NYPD and federal authorities announced a major cocaine seizure involving 580 pounds (over 266 kilograms) found in and around a van at a Long Island City storage facility on Northern Boulevard, linked to Nelson Salcedo, a 35-year-old from Englewood, New Jersey.

Inside the seized boxes were about 230 brick-shaped packages of cocaine, with purity suggesting it had not been cut and would likely be diluted three to four times before reaching street users.

A police canine alerted to narcotics and subsequent searches yielded more than 200 bricks of cocaine, with the street value estimated at about $10 million.

Authorities described the operation as part of a broader cartel-linked network, though the specific cartel has not been disclosed.

Officials noted the drugs would likely have been mixed with fentanyl or similar substances before sale, underscoring the danger to communities.

The investigation is ongoing, with expectations of additional seizures and more arrests as the case develops.

Law enforcement warned that even more drugs could be identified or seized as the probe continues and urged caution about distribution networks.

Efforts are underway to identify more suspects and disrupt the operation beyond the recovered drugs.

Statements from senior officials across NYPD, SNP, Queens DA, DEA and state authorities highlighted the operation’s significance and the level of interagency cooperation.

The case demonstrates extensive interagency cooperation and meticulous investigative work, including surveillance and intelligence gathering across state lines.

Two additional men were arrested in connection with the investigation; identities were not released in initial disclosures.

Three individuals have been apprehended in total, with authorities not disclosing details about the other two suspects.