A North Bergen trio has been busted with running a fentanyl ring between Passaic and Hudson Counties, with 12 kilograms worth about $1.2 million seized in a raid last month, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
The arrests are the result of “Operation Table for Two,” a three-month investigation led by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), Attorney General Matthew Platkin and NJSP Colonel Patrick J. Callahan announced.
Edwin Mercedes, 39, his twin brother Edwal Mercedes, 39, and Carlos Pena Peralta, 22, all of North Bergen, are charged with maintaining a fentanyl production facility, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and other offenses related to their alleged controlled dangerous substance (CDS) manufacturing operation.
10 pounds of marijuana and indicia of distribution were also seized.
According to documents filed in the case, detectives with the NJSP Drug Trafficking North Unit began a fentanyl trafficking investigation targeting Edwin and Edwal Mercedes.
Through various investigative means, and with assistance from USPIS, detectives determined that the Mercedes brothers and Pena Peralta were operating a CDS production facility from the residence they shared on 46th Street in North Bergen and from an apartment on Passaic Avenue in Passaic.
On April 11th, members of the NJSP personnel executed search warrants at the North Bergen and Passaic locations, simultaneously.
At the Passaic address, detectives seized 12 kilos of raw fentanyl with a street value of more than $1.2 million.
Then at the North Bergen address, detectives seized more than 10 pounds of marijuana with a street value of approximately $20,000, hydraulic equipment for pressing kilos of fentanyl, imprint face plates for stamping CDS, cutting agents, and evidence of fentanyl packaging.
Prior to the execution of the search warrants, Edwal Mercedes was arrested during a traffic stop by NJSP detectives and found to be in possession of more than $10,000 believed to be derived from illegal means. Pena Peralta was arrested at the North Bergen address.
The two men were transported to State Police Totowa Substation for processing and are being held in the Bergen County jail pending a detention hearing, while Edwin Mercedes is being sought as a fugitive.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, all three defendants are charged with possession with intent to distribute CDS within 1,000 feet of school property, possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public park, conspiracy to maintain a CDS production facility, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute CDS (two counts), possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana over six ounces, and possession of CDS paraphernalia (disorderly persons).
Edwal Mercedes is additionally charged with money laundering and possession of a fictitious NJ driver’s license.
Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Forrest is prosecuting the case for the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Gangs and Organized Crimes Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Cynthia Vazquez and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. The investigation was led by NJSP Drug Trafficking North Unit.
Additionally, Platkin thanked the following agencies that assisted in the investigation and execution of warrants: the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, NJSP TEAMS Unit North and Central, NJSP Canine Unit North and Central, and the NJSP Hazardous Materials Response Unit.
Are the North Bergen police still active?
Where’s their cut of the action.