Nearly three quarters of a kilo of suspected cocaine, over $30,000 and three vehicles we seized when an alleged two-county drug ring was taken down by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office and other law enforcement agencies yesterday.
Five people were arrested and more than $100,000 in cash and cocaine were seized when a two-county drug ring was smashed by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office and other law enforcement agencies yesterday.
"This was a significant narcotics organization supplying cocaine to Hudson and Bergen counties," Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said of the allegations. "I commend the tremendous work of our Prosecutor's Office Task Force and our many law enforcement partners that assisted in this investigation."
The investigation culminated with the execution of search warrants yesterday on the 2000 block of Grand Avenue in North Bergen, Hille Place in Ridgefield Park, and in Union City on the 1100 block of New York Avenue and the 800 block of 24th Street, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino said this evening.
Five people, including three brothers, were arrested and all face 10 to 20 years in prison if convicted: Alexis Frometa, 45, of Ridgefield Park; Andres Murgado, 56, of 24th Street in Union City; and Luis Frometa, 50, Carlos Frometa, 51, and Bolivar Florez Cruz, 25, all of the same Grand Avenue, North Bergen address, Rubino said.
Nearly three-quarters of a kilo of cocaine -- with an approximate street value in excess of $75,000 -- and $30,000 in cash were seized in the raid, Rubino said. Also seized were three vehicles.
Investigators say the organization was headed by Luis Frometa, who employed his brothers Carlos and Alexis to manage and distribute cocaine in North Hudson and Bergen County. The brothers managed cocaine distribution and used runners to deliver it to individual customers, Rubino said.
All five of those arrested are charged with multiple drug counts, including the first-degree charge of drug possession with intent to distribute. Luis Frometa is additionally charged with the first-degree count of being the leader of a narcotics distribution organization, Rubino said.
Also arrested was Gelty Monanez, 50, of the 100 block of Stevens Avenue in Jersey City, who was charged only with conspiracy to possess cocaine, Rubino said.
Other law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation and execution of the court-ordered search warrants were the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Hudson County Sheriff's Office, Hudson County Department of Corrections and police departments, including Union City, North Bergen and Hoboken, Rubino said.
Suarez said those involved in the probe "showed a high degree of hard work, dedication and sacrifice to put the investigation together and follow it through."