“HUDSON COUNTY CRACKDOWN”

On October 12, 2006, members of the North Bergen Police Department, the West New York Police Department, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Department of Homeland Security apprehended nine individuals who were involved in the distribution of illegal drugs taking place in the community of North Bergen. The investigation was initiated by Detective Juan Nunez of the West New York Police Department.

Authorities said the investigation culminated with emergency response teams executing search warrants upon three apartments located in the 400 blocks of 72nd and 79th streets. Seized from these locations were quantities of crack cocaine, which was package for street sale, three handguns, along with assorted narcotic paraphernalia.

Officers arrested the following residents of the 72nd street address; Tasha Castillas, 32; Maria Correa, 52; Enrique Hecherria, 56; Jose Perez, 42; Jesus Hernando Millan Mora, 58; and Michael Van Vorst, 50. In addition, also arrested were Armando Cruz, 48, of 70th Street in Guttenberg; Ariel Rodriguez, 34, of 89th Street in North Bergen and Raidhy Moya, of 79th Street in North Bergen. They were charged with manufacturing and distributing drugs and other drug charges - except for Cruz, who was charged with an outstanding warrant and Rodriguez, who was charged with drug possession, reports said. Mora was charged with operating a narcotics facility and Moyla with weapons charges. Moyla and Mora may also be charged with federal immigration and narcotics violations.

Following the raid, the 72nd Street building was evacuated and condemned by the North Bergen Buildings Department.

Authorities stated that an additional five individuals were subsequently charged with narcotic violations in connection with the investigation.

The NJNEOA commends Detective Juan Nunez and all the participating law enforcement agencies on their efforts in this co-operative narcotics investigation.