Darren Richardson, Beatrice Ramirez and Giovannie Henderson are accused on leading the operation, authorities said.
More than a dozen people face charges following a series of drug raids in four North Jersey counties, authorities said on Monday.
Three people are accused of being leaders in an alleged drug ring operating in North Jersey, authorities said on Monday. (Passaic County Prosecutor's Office) Investigators seized 10 pounds of marijuana, more than nine pounds of THC wax, and 1,000 grams of candy infused with THC, according to Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes.
Valdes said more than $267,000 cash was seized, along with bongs and equipment used to package marijuana.
Darren Richardson, 33, of Haskell, was charged with being a leader of a narcotics trafficking network, a first-degree crime, while he and Beatrice Ramirez, 23, of Ringwood, were both charged with financial facilitation of criminal activity.
If convicted, Richardson faces 20 years in prison, the prosecutor said.
Giovannie Henderson, 29, of Morris Plains, was charged with maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana in a quantity of five pounds or more.
Former Bergen County exec overstepped limits
The charges against the remaining suspects ranged from maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility to possession of marijuana. Additional charges are pending, according to Valdes.
The arrests were the result of a four-month investigation in Passaic, Bergen Sussex and Morris counties, the prosecutor said.
In 2015, Richardson and Ramirez were charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute after police said they seized 15 pounds of marijuana in their Mahwah motel room.
In 2011, police ripped apart Richardson's BMW after allegedly detecting a strong odor of marijuana. They found nothing, but Richardson claimed they caused $12,600 in damage to his vehicle.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.