“FROM COLOMBIA TO UNION COUNTY”

During early November 2005, Detective Justin Marranca if the Union County Prosecutor’s Office received information about an ongoing smuggling ring operating within Union County that was importing kilogram quantities of heroin directly into Union County. Detective Marranca’s subsequent investigation identified James Jaya as being the highest ranking member of this conspiracy who was physically present in the United States. Higher ranking members directed the activities of the organization from the safety of Colombia. After identifying the key participants, the investigation culminated with the arrest of Jaya on December 1, 2005.

On December 1, 2005, surveillance followed Jaya to the New York City area, while surveillance was also established at Jaya’s residence. Upon Jaya’s return from New York, he was stopped by members of the Union County Narcotic Strike Force. The green minivan he was operating was found to contain one kilogram of heroin. Officers then obtained a consent to search Jaya’s residence at 132 Acme Street, Attic Apartment, Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was learned that Jaya stayed in the basement prior to moving into the attic apartment, and consent was obtained to search the basement, where officers seized six hundred grams of cocaine, along with a scale and packaging material. The heroin that had been seized was still secreted within the frame of the suitcase in which it had been smuggled into this country.

The NJNEOA commends Detective Justin Marranca and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Strike Force on such a successful investigation.

It should be noted that during the processing and interview of James Jaya subsequent to his arrest, he commended Detective Marranca on his skills in developing the information that led to his arrest.