2,000 packets of synthetic marijuana ready for sale were seized, the prosecutor said
PASSAIC -- Four men face charges of producing synthetic marijuana after authorities in Passaic County said they seized materials with an estimated street value of approximately $27 million.
Their arrests were announced in a statement issued by Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes, Passaic City Deputy Police Chief Ross Capuana and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent-in-Charge Karl Catowski.
Arrested following a seven-month investigation were Harris Khan, 28, of Staten Island, on Aug. 18; Guadalupe Navarro-Martinez, 26, of Paterson, on Sept. 9; Heeru Nandwani, 35, of Paramus, on Sept. 10; and Bong Kang, 48, of Montville, on Oct. 29, Valdes said.
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As a result of 13 search warrants executed in Passaic, Fort Lee, Lodi and Montville, detectives allegedly seized about 11,400 pounds of vegetation to which chemicals and flowerings are applied to make synthetic marijuana; 2,000 packets of synthetic marijuana ready for sale; approximately 500,000 empty packets used to package synthetic marijuana for sale; and tools and equipment used in the production of synthetic marijuana.
Detectives also reported recovering 234 small bottles of bath salts, a synthetic form of ecstasy and 32,290 male enhancement pills that contained sildnafil, a prescription legend drug in New Jersey.
Khan and Nandwani were both charged with first-degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, in addition to numerous other offenses, Valdes said. Both of their bails were set at $150,000, according to Valdes.
Navarro-Martinez and Kang were both charged with second-degree conspiracy to maintain or operate a controlled dangerous substance production facility. Navarro-Martinez's bail was set at $100,000 and Kang's was set at $75,000, Valdes said.
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