Two Florida men, Michael Viera, 40, and Daniel Santana, 35, were arrested in Nassau County, New York, after police seized 312 kilograms (about 687 pounds) of cocaine from a parked vehicle outside a Plainview Holiday Inn on January 29, 2026, at 8:45 p.m.

The suspects, originally from Puerto Rico, reportedly have homicide convictions, though details were not fully provided at the arraignment.

Nassau County officials called the bust one of the largest drug seizures in county history and highlighted the potential scale of the operation.

The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors and police seeking more information on co-conspirators, as well as the source and destination of the drugs.

County DA Anne Donnelly emphasized the public-safety impact, saying the seizure prevented potential overdoses and saved lives by keeping the drugs off the streets.

The field test identified the drugs as cocaine, with samples pending further testing for fentanyl or other substances; investigations into origins, destinations, and the suspectsriminal histories were ongoing.

Prosecutors indicate plans to upgrade charges to drug trafficking as the investigation continues, and the suspects remain jailed.

Donnelly noted charges could be upgraded to operating as a major drug trafficker, potentially carrying a life sentence, and described the seizure as among the largest in her 35-year career.

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison, with possible upgrades to major drug-trafficking charges.

Donnelly stressed the seizure could be upgraded to major drug trafficking allegations and underscored its significance in her decades-long prosecutorial work.

The cocaine stash was found in the front seat of a black pickup truck and six suitcases in the trunk, signaling a large trafficking operation.

Viera appeared briefly in court as the case was adjourned to March 3; his attorney questioned the timing, evidence, and seizure legality, including body cam footage.