2 Police And 5 Others Charged In Hudson County Cocaine Bust: Prosecutors

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Investigators arrested seven people in Hudson County — including a police dispatcher and retired detective — and seized more than 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine after a six-month drug investigation, prosecutors said Monday.

Last Thursday, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple locations in North Bergen, West New York, and Union City, said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.

Investigators arrested seven people that day, including a dispatcher with the West New York Police Department, a retired detective from the West New York Police Department, and a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer, prosecutors said.

They also uncovered a narcotics production facility, they said. The street value of the recovered narcotics is over $150,000, they said.

Besides confiscating drugs, two guns, and cash, they also took seven vehicles, prosecutors said.

According to. prosecutors, the following people were arrested:

• Alfredo Diaz, 50, of Union City, was charged with: Leading a Narcotics Network, maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, two counts of conspiracy to distribute (cocaine), two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, conspiracy to commit official misconduct, and other charges.

• Ileana Hernandez, 56, a dispatcher with West New York Police Department, is charged with official misconduct, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and related charges.

• Thomas Mannion, 60, a retired West New York Police detective, was charged with conspiracy to distribute (cocaine).

• Marquis Santiago, 33, a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer, was charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance (cocaine).

• Edwin Martinez, 39, of North Bergen, was charged with possession with intent to distribute (cocaine), possession of a weapon while committing a Controlled Dangerous Substances offense, and related charges.

• Daniel Diaz, 28, of West New York, was charged with conspiracy to distribute (cocaine), and related charges.

• Cristian Cortez, 55 of Englewood, was charged with conspiracy to distribute (cocaine).

This investigation is active and ongoing, prosecutors said.