A Secaucus man is among five charged with running an illegal marijuana dispensary out of several locations in Bergen, Essex, and Morris Counties, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
In August 2021, an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force revealed that a business named Dirty Jerzy Supplies, LLC, located at 376 Route 4 West in Englewood, was operating as an illegal marijuana dispensary selling recreational marijuana and various THC products to the public.
Additionally, detectives learned that Michael Ligus, Damien Wesler, Sr., Damien Wesler, Jr., and Anthony Garcia were reporting themselves to be the owners and operators of the business and that Ezekiel Paulino was an employee of the illegal dispensary.
During the investigation, undercover detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force purchased marijuana and other THC products from the Englewood location, in addition to Dirty Jerzy Supplies LLC locations in Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plain.
On February 4th, Ligus and Wesler Sr. were transporting bulk shipments of marijuana from Boston, MA to Bergen County.
Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant on a gray Cadillac Escalade SUV operated by Ligues and Wesler Sr. from which they seized more than fifty pounds of marijuana.
Also on February 4th, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, with the assistance of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Prosecutor’s office, the Ringwood Police Department, and the Scotch Plains Police Department, executed court-authorized search warrant at store front locations operated by Dirty Jerzy Supplies LLC in Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains.
Additionally, a search was conducted at a warehouse at 26 Commerce Road in Fairfield, the residences of Ligus, Wesler Sr., and Wesler Jr., and Garcia, and multiple vehicles associated with this drug distribution investigation. These searches led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of marijuana, THC edibles, THC wax/oil, and approximately $305,000.
Ligus, 24, of Ringwood, was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana over 25 pounds with intent to distribute, second-degree money laundering in an amount greater than $75,000 but less than $500,000, second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles.
Wesley Sr., 44, of Franklin Lakes, was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana over 25 pounds with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles.
Wesley Jr., 22, of Ringwood, was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles.
Garcia, 45, of Secaucus, was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles.
Paulino, 44, of Rutherford, was charged with first-degree possession of hashish oil edibles over five pounds with intent to distribute.
Musella thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Englewood Police Department, Ringwood Police Department, and Scotch Plains Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.
