The owner of the 9th Cloud Vape Supply in Hoboken, recently embroiled in a freedom of speech debate after a hate speech video went viral, was arrested for marijuana possession with intent to distribute yesterday, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Joseph Ruggiero, 27, of Hoboken, was charged with Possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park and distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Suarez said in a statement.
Yesterday, following a brief investigation, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force arrested Ruggiero for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and additional narcotic related offenses, authorities said.
He was charged after a court authorized search of his residence on Garden Street in Hoboken led to the recovery of marijuana, officials said.
Suarez credited the Narcotic Task Force, and, the K-9 Unit of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office who assisted with the arrest.
In May, after a lengthy debate, the Hoboken City Council approved a measure that would allow Ruggiero to keep his vendor’s license and force him to attend anger management classes.
