Prosecutor: 80 pounds of weed, guns, gold, $75k, seized in bi-county drug ring bust

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Eight were arrested and 80 pounds of weed, several types of guns, more than 100 grams of gold and over $75,000 in cash were seized in a bi-county drug bust, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Following a five-month investigation, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Narcotics Task Force along with the Newark Office of Homeland Security Investigations arrested eight individuals, charging them with various narcotics and weapons offenses.

Nick Mendoza, 33, Jessica Polo, 30, Jennifer Guzman, 29, of North Bergen, Christopher Dopico, 31, of North Bergen, William Zamot, 49 – all of North Begen – as well as Jason Marrero, 48, Dubuel Parra, 23, Ronald Vargas- Banegas, 50 – all of Clifton – were arrested without incident on December 10th.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Mendoza and Marrero were the
alleged organizational leaders of a narcotics trafficking network operating in Hudson and Passaic Counties that distributed large quantities of marijuana, cocaine and cocaine and other controlled dangerous substances.

Furthermore, Mendoza and Marrero allegedly supplied marijuana and other drugs to mid- to low-level dealers who were involved in the distribution of CDS.

In addition to the arrests, officers seized more than 80 pounds of high-grade marijuana, a large quantity of prescription medication, a small amount of cocaine, more than $75,000 in cash, two rifles, one stun gun, one flintlock pistol, three vehicles and more than 100 grams of pure gold, authorities said.

Additionally, officials determined that the street value of the marijuana that was seized is approximately $200,000.

If convicted of the first-degree crime of being a leader of a Narcotics Trafficking Network, Mendoza and Marrero face life imprisonment with 25 years of parole ineligibility.

In addition to the NTF Officers, Suarez credited the Newark Office of Homeland Security
Investigations, the Clifton Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and the New Jersey Division of Taxation – Office of Criminal Investigation for assisting in the searches and arrests.


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