The NYPD is investigating the overdose deaths of two asylum seekers at a mega-shelter opened by Mayor Eric Adams in Brooklyn to see if there’s a larger drug organization operating at the location, officials said.
The men, who were staying at the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Jefferson Avenue in Bushwick, were identified as Anthony Jose Luna Ruiz, 24, of Venezuela, and Jhonny Jose Torres, 25, of Colombia, cops said.
“As we go through it, we’ll see who’s dealing there,” Chief of Detectives James Essig said. “If there is continuing drug dealing, if there’s any sort of hierarchy, that will be part of our investigation.”
Drug paraphernalia and an apparent drug sales ledger were found in the car with the men along with more than $1,000 cash, Essig said.
The toxicology reports for both men were outstanding so it wasn’t clear what drugs they were using, but fentanyl was a likely culprit in their deaths, Essig said.
“Fentanyl is in everything now,” he said.
City Hall has been struggling to find space to house the over 45,000 migrants in city care and has been reviewing additional locations upstate and around the five boroughs.
Adams announced the opening of the relief center in March, saying it and a new center at 220 West 42nd Street in Manhattan would help about “1,200 single men seeking asylum” with housing and support.