A 25-year-old man was indicted on multiple weapons and drug charges after authorities say he was found with a loaded, unserialized firearm and cocaine during a law enforcement raid at a Brentwood restaurant tied to a broader narcotics investigation.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Andres Cabrera-Sanchez was arraigned April 16 on charges including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony, stemming from an April 4 enforcement operation at La Costa Catracha Restaurant on Suffolk Avenue.
According to investigators, Suffolk County Police officers were assisting the New York State Liquor Authority during a compliance inspection at the restaurant when Cabrera-Sanchez allegedly fled to the basement. Officers followed and observed him allegedly discard a dark metal object from his waistband behind sheetrock leaning against a wall.
Police recovered what authorities described as a loaded, unserialized semiautomatic pistol built with a polymer 80 frame. The weapon was allegedly equipped with a magazine capable of holding more than 10 rounds. A subsequent search allegedly found Cabrera-Sanchez in possession of cocaine.
He was indicted on the following charges:
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D violent felony
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor
The charges stem from a larger enforcement action at the restaurant that resulted in multiple arrests and violations.
During that April 4 operation, seven people were taken into custody, including the restaurant’s owner, an employee, and several patrons, as part of a multi-agency investigation into suspected drug activity at the location.
Authorities said owner Wilmer Mendez-Barrera, 44, of Brentwood, was issued eight field appearance tickets for violations of New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control law. An employee, Keshawn Matthews, 39, of Shirley, was cited for allegedly acting as an unlicensed security guard while wearing an imitation tactical vest and possessing an imitation firearm.
Several patrons were also arrested. Juana Flores, 47, of Central Islip, was charged with multiple counts of 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.
As part of the same investigation, police executed a search warrant at a nearby Brentwood residence on Broadway, where Josua Molina, 27, was arrested and charged with multiple drug offenses, including criminal sale and possession of a controlled substance, as well as endangering the welfare of a child.
The Town of Islip Fire Marshal also issued multiple summonses to the restaurant and deemed the building unsafe for occupancy following the inspection.
Cabrera-Sanchez was previously arrested during that operation and is now facing indictment on the upgraded weapons charges.
Judge Bryan Browns ordered him held on $100,000 cash bail, $200,000 bond, or a $1 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on May 4 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top charge.
Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer, indicating that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may take custody of Cabrera-Sanchez following the conclusion of the criminal case.
This case is being prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
For more details on the original raid and all arrests, you can read our full coverage here.
Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
