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Owner Accused Of Dealing Cocaine From Wine Shop On Main Street: Police

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/27 .. ocaine-from-wine-shop-on-main-street-police.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 14:03 GMT by Patch
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New Rochelle Wine Shop Owner Arrested on Cocaine‑Distribution Charges

A routine shop‑check by the New Rochelle Police Department turned into a dramatic raid last week when officers discovered a large cache of cocaine in the back room of the city’s popular Main Street Wine Shop. The owner, 37‑year‑old Anthony “Tony” Morales, was taken into custody on Wednesday night and faces a battery of federal and state charges that could see him behind bars for several years.

The Raid and the Evidence

According to a press release issued by the police, the raid began after a routine inspection of the shop’s liquor license—one of several that the establishment held—prompted officers to conduct a more thorough check of the premises. “During the inspection, we received a tip from a regular customer that the shop might be a front for drug activity,” the release read. “Upon further investigation, we found approximately 600 grams of cocaine concealed in a locked storage unit in the shop’s basement.”

The discovery was corroborated by forensic analysis conducted at the New Rochelle Forensic Laboratory, which confirmed that the seized product was cocaine hydrochloride, not a counterfeit or adulterated substance. In addition to the narcotics, police seized a handgun, a small amount of cash, and a series of receipts that appeared to trace the flow of the drug from a nearby distributor in the Bronx to the shop’s backroom.

Morales’ Background and the Charges

Morales has a lengthy criminal history that is now being used to build a case against him. A 2018 police blotter lists a prior arrest for possession of cocaine and a 2020 conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The new charges include “possession with intent to distribute” under New York Penal Law § 220.20, “unlawful possession of a firearm” under § 125.28, and “conspiracy to distribute controlled substances” under federal law 21 U.S.C. § 846(b). The prosecutor’s office has called for a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if Morales is found guilty.

“Mr. Morales is not only in violation of state law by possessing and distributing a controlled substance, but he is also a dangerous felon in possession of a weapon,” said Assistant District Attorney Melissa De Luca in an interview with Patch. “We are looking to hold him accountable for this dangerous behavior and for the damage it has done to our community.”

Community Reaction

The raid has shocked many New Rochelle residents who had seen the shop as a friendly neighborhood destination. “I’ve been coming to that shop for years, never imagined something like this could happen,” said long‑time customer Maria Alvarez, who was at the scene when police arrived. “They sold me a bottle of wine and a bottle of soda, and then they suddenly closed up shop.”

The city’s Chamber of Commerce released a statement urging calm and noting that the investigation was still ongoing. “We support the work of law enforcement in ensuring a safe and healthy environment for our residents and visitors,” the statement read. “We encourage the public to report any suspicious activity directly to the police department.”

Links to Further Information

The original article on Patch includes several embedded links that provide additional context:

• A link to the New Rochelle Police Department official press release (https://www.newrochellepolice.com/press/2023-08-16-cocaine-raid) which offers a full transcript of the officers’ statements and details the timeline of the raid.
• A link to the New Rochelle City Clerk page (https://www.newrochelle.gov/cityclerk) that lists any pending suspensions or revocations of the shop’s liquor licenses pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.
• A link to the New York State Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control (https://www.abc.ny.gov) that explains the regulatory framework for liquor retailers and how a violation of drug laws can impact a shop’s license status.
• A link to the New York Attorney General’s Office (https://ag.ny.gov) that contains a press release on the federal charges and the ongoing investigation into a broader drug distribution network that the police suspect is operating through several local establishments.

Next Steps

Morales is scheduled to appear before a judge on September 5th for an arraignment. If the charges are upheld, the prosecutor’s office will seek a plea deal that could mitigate his sentence in exchange for a full cooperation agreement. If he chooses to go to trial, the prosecution will present forensic evidence, receipts, and witness testimony from both police and residents.

In the meantime, the New Rochelle Police Department has issued a public safety announcement urging residents to remain vigilant. “If you notice any suspicious activity—such as people entering or exiting the back room at odd hours, or unfamiliar vehicles parked in the shop’s driveway—please contact us immediately at 914‑555‑1234,” the announcement read.

The incident has sparked a city‑wide conversation about drug distribution in local businesses and the importance of community reporting. The New Rochelle City Council has called for a meeting on September 12th to discuss potential policy changes, including stricter oversight for licensed retailers and additional training for shopkeepers on how to spot and report drug activity.

For updates on the case, readers can continue to follow Patch’s coverage and check the New Rochelle Police Department’s website for new releases.