Seven people, including a restaurant owner, employee, and multiple patrons, were arrested during a multi-agency compliance check at a Brentwood business early Saturday morning, Suffolk County police said.
The operation took place April 4 at La Costa Catracha Restaurant on Suffolk Avenue, following an investigation into suspected narcotics activity at the location. The enforcement involved the Suffolk County Police Department, New York State Liquor Authority, and Town of Islip fire and building officials.
Core Details
Authorities said six individuals were taken into custody at the restaurant, while a seventh was arrested at a nearby residence as part of the broader investigation.
The restaurant’s owner, Wilmer Mendez-Barrera, 44, of Brentwood, was issued eight field appearance tickets for violations of New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control law.
Employee Keshawn Matthews, 39, of Shirley, was cited for acting as an unlicensed security guard after allegedly wearing an imitation tactical vest and possessing an imitation firearm.
Among the patrons arrested:
- Andres Cabrera-Sanchez, 25, of Bay Shore, was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and seventh-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
- Juana Flores, 47, of Central Islip, was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
- Maykol Escobar-Rivas, 18, of Central Islip, was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
- Christian Palacios-Ruiz, 18, of Brentwood, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Expanded Investigation
Police said the investigation into drug sales at the restaurant led to the execution of a search warrant at a Brentwood residence on Broadway.
At that location, authorities arrested Josua Molina, 27, who was charged with multiple offenses, including third- and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Legal and Enforcement Actions
Molina was arraigned April 4 at First District Court in Central Islip.
Flores and Escobar-Rivas were also arraigned the same day, while Cabrera-Sanchez is being held and is scheduled to be arraigned April 5.
Palacios-Ruiz was issued a desk appearance ticket and is due in court at a later date. Mendez-Barrera and Matthews are also scheduled to appear in court on a later date.
Separately, the Town of Islip Fire Marshal issued multiple summonses to the restaurant and deemed the establishment unsafe for occupancy.
All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Photo: Google Maps.
