Drug Raid At Brentwood Restaurant Leads To 7 Arrests, Home Search: Police

BRENTWOOD, NY — Seven people were arrested — including five on narcotics-related charges — following a compliance check at a Brentwood restaurant early Saturday morning, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Police said the investigation targeted La Costa Catracha Restaurant, where detectives conducted the check alongside the New York State Liquor Authority, Town of Islip fire marshal, and building inspector.

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, police said.

An employee, Keshawn Matthews, 39, of Shirley, was cited for acting as an unlicensed security guard under state law. Police said Matthews was wearing an imitation tactical vest and had an imitation firearm.

Five patrons were arrested on various charges connected to narcotics and weapons offenses, police said.

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, police said.

Juana Flores, 47, of Central Islip, was charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, police said.

Maykol Escobar-Rivas, 18, of Central Islip, was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, police said.

Christian Palacios-Ruiz, 18, of Brentwood, was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Police said the investigation into drug sales at the restaurant led to the execution of a search warrant at a Brentwood residence on Broadway.

Police said Josua Molina, 27, who lives at the home, was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Molina was arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Central Islip, police said.

Cabrera-Sanchez was being held at the Third Precinct and was scheduled to be arraigned Sunday, police said.

Flores and Escobar-Rivas were arraigned Saturday, while Palacios-Ruiz was issued a Desk Appearance Ticket and will appear in court at a later date, according to police.

Mendez-Barrera and Matthews were also issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

The Town of Islip Fire Marshal issued multiple summonses to the establishment and deemed the restaurant unsafe for occupancy, police said.