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Joon Kim, the acting United States Attorney for the Southern District announced the arrest late Thursday of Frankie Bequraj, who has been charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin, cocaine, oxycodone and alprazolam.
According to Kim, in the indictment that was unsealed this week, Bequraj and his co-conspirators were complicit in the deaths of 25-year-old Bronx resident Robert Vivolo and New Rochelle native Leonidas Madrid, 28. Bequraj allegedly conspired to sell a kilogram of heroin, as well as the other drugs, which led to the deaths. Bequraj's hometown has not yet been released. (Check back to Daily Voice for updated info.)
“The arrest and indictment of Frankie Beqiraj, holding him accountable for the death of New Rochelle resident Leonides Madrid, is an example of the New Rochelle Police Department’s commitment to fight against the opioids epidemic that our community faces today,” New Rochelle Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll said.
“Working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners, the NYPD, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the United States Attorney sends a strong message to drug dealers that we will do all we can to arrest and prosecute those selling drugs in our community.”
Bequraj was in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday and has been ordered detained. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman.
“As alleged in the Indictment, Frankie Beqiraj worked with others to sell a whole range of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and alprazolam,” Kim added.
"As alleged, two young people are dead, victims of Beqiraj’s alleged heroin dealing and of the opioid epidemic that is sweeping the country. Thanks to the exceptional work of our partners at the New York City Police Department, the New Rochelle Police Department, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, Beqiraj will be held accountable for the drugs he allegedly peddled and the tragic deaths that resulted.”
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