What to Know
- Law enforcement are searching for 38-year-old Richard Laugel in connection with a drug raid executed at his Bronx home Tuesday
- Authorities found handguns, assault weapons and silencers, along with pills and chemicals indicative of a drug operation
- The culmination of the long-term investigation by Homeland Security also brought NYPD and ATF to the scene
Authorities are looking for a man in connection with a raid that turned up large amounts of drugs and guns at a Bronx home Tuesday.
Homeland Security and NYPD began searching the building at 2205 Palmer Ave. as part of a long-term investigation into a suspected drug operation there, which started with a tip that the man who lived in the home had been getting an unusual amount of deliveries.
During the search, authorities found chemicals and pills indicative of a drug-manufacturing operation, officials said. They also found silencers, handguns, machine guns and assault weapons, along with several explosive devices.
Police are now looking for 38-year-old Richard Laugel. He was already facing charges of trying to blow up a rival gang member's car in March 2016 -- so when chemicals were found in his home Tuesday, the bomb squad was called as a precaution.
ATF agents were also on the scene assisting.
"They just found everything and not the guy. That's even worse," said neighbor Briana Benitez.
"Right here in your neigborhood -- everybody's neighborhood -- how safe are we?" said Kevin Pressley.
Local
Laugel was due in court next week for a hearing in connection with the alleged attempt to blow up the vehicle. He had been out on $100,00 bail.