Alleged cocaine dealers arraigned

A roughly seven-month undercover investigation led to the arrest of two Kingsbridge men who allegedly sold cocaine to Manhattan College students and other young people, authorities say.

Victor Vigniero was arraigned on multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance, among other charges, at Manhattan Supreme Court on Sept. 9. Authorities also arraigned his cousin and alleged supplier, Osvaldo Espaillat.

The Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor said an anonymous complaint from “a member of the Manhattan College community” led authorities to begin an undercover investigation into Mr. Vigniero.

From February to July, he allegedly sold a total of $6,680 in cocaine and marijuana to an undercover officer from the NYPD’s Narcotics Borough Bronx. A press release said most sales took place in the basement of the suspect’s 3422 Irwin Ave. home.

During the course of the investigation, Mr. Vigniero reportedly said he sold drugs to Manhattan College students, while Mr. Espaillat said he sold to other young people. Mr. Espaillat, who resides at 3424 Kingsbridge Ave., sold cocaine to an officer on three occasions.

Police arrested the men on Aug. 13. During searches of their homes, the authorities recovered a total of roughly 215 grams, or about a quarter of a pound, of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $17,000.

Two children were reportedly at Mr. Espaillat’s Kingsbridge Avenue apartment at the time of the search, landing him with two first-degree counts of unlawfully dealing with a child.

“We will continue to work with the NYPD to respond to community concerns about drug trafficking wherever they arise to ensure the safety and security of all in our great city,” Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said in a statement.

For one Riverdale resident, the arrests present serious concerns about drug use among all residents in the neighborhood, college students or otherwise. She sounded off on the case after the latest meeting of the 50th Precinct’s Community Council, where she had come to complain about overall drug use in her part of town.