Following the raid by federal agents of the dilapidated building located at 3267 Decatur Avenue in the Norwood section of The Bronx on Nov. 4, 2024, as reported by Norwood News last year, and after years of complaints by residents, federal authorities announced on Friday, Feb. 7, the Decatur Avenue home has been seized via the courts via the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint in which it is alleged it was used by members of the “Drilly Gang” as a stash house for drug trafficking and guns.

 

Civil forfeiture is a legal process that allows law enforcement to seize property that is suspected of being involved in a crime without charging the owner. The news was announced by Danielle R. Sassoon, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Bryan Miller, the special agent in charge of the New York field division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”); and Jessica S. Tisch, NYPD Commissioner.

In the context of the announcement, Sassoon said, “As alleged, 3267 Decatur Avenue, a Bronx residence located steps away from an elementary school, was used by members of a gang as a stash house for drugs and firearms. This civil forfeiture action seeking to seize the residence demonstrates that we will use all the tools available to protect the streets of this city. Together with our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to the fight against gun violence and drug trafficking in our community.”

Meanwhile, ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller said, “Illicit drug trafficking destroys lives and fuels violence. Taking over a home, for the purpose of selling illegal drugs next to a school, while boasting about it on social media, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the safety of our communities. The ATF / NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and protecting innocent people from the tragic consequences of violent crime.”

 

He added, “No one should have to live or work next to an illegal narcotics operation run by armed criminals. We will remain relentless in our efforts to keep our streets safe. I commend the dedication and hard work of the men and women of the Joint Firearms Task Force, NYPD 52nd Precinct, and SDNY for their efforts in this case.”

 

According to Manhattan federal court records and other court filings, since in or about April 2024, law enforcement agents with the ATF and the NYPD had been conducting an investigation into the home at 3267 Decatur Avenue, located between East 207th Street and East 209th Street in Norwood, including into members of a group known as the “Drilly Gang” that used the home as a stash house for drug trafficking and firearms.

 

The building is located steps away from P.S. 56, Norwood Heights elementary school. Federal prosecutors allege members of the Drilly Gang were using it as an operation headquarters, including as a location to film rap videos in furtherance of the Drilly Gang, which included depictions of drugs and weapons. Members of the Drilly Gang also posted on social media photographs and videos depicting their involvement in the sale of drugs and possession of firearms, as seen in the attached photos.

 

Prosecutors said that on or about Nov. 4, 2024, as reported, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant of the home and recovered, among other things: a pistol magazine; 177.73 grams of cocaine; 33 grams of methamphetamine; 38 grams of fentanyl; 65 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; and 240 grams of marijuana.

 

They said investigators also found drug packaging materials, which were designed to make the drugs look like candy (i.e., Welch’s Fruit Snacks, Skittles, Peanut Buddy Bars, etc.) and around $1,700 in U.S. currency. Attached are some of the items seized from the home.

As reported, on Nov. 9, 2024, Norwood News contacted a man who had previously lived in the two-story home. He declined to be identified out of fear for his safety and alleged the building had been left to him in 2020 by the former female owner, Mary McCaffrey, when she died.

 

The same man also alleged he was the legal owner of the home around 2020-2021 when he allowed a pregnant woman and her boyfriend to stay in it rent-free. The man further alleged a local gang later took up residence in the home. Norwood News has since followed up on our previous story and will share further updates soon.

As also reported, seven men and one woman were arrested and charged with various offenses including criminal drug and weapon possession following a separate law enforcement raid on a nearby Hull Avenue home, also located between East 207th and East 209th Street in Norwood on March 27, 2024.

 

a separate raid took place at nearby Sassoon praised what she called the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and the NYPD in relation to the case, which is being handled by the U.S. Attorneys Southern District of New York’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit and Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan and Frank J. Balsamello are leading the prosecution.