Cocaine Ring Busted In Morris Co., 500 Grams Seized: Prosecutor

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Ten people were arrested during a bust of a cocaine ring operating in Morris County, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said on Monday.

The arrests are the culmination of a size month investigation into the import and distribution of cocaine in the county. Between Nov. 15 and 17 four search warrants were carried out, resulting in the ten arrests, and the seizure of over 500 grams of cocaine, $10,000 in cash and five cars used to distribute drugs.

“We are losing too many of our citizens to the disease of addiction. This investigation demonstrates the importance of collaborative law enforcement efforts working together to infiltrate criminal organizations impacting Morris County. Fortunately, the Morris County Narcotics task force, led by the Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit, dismantled a drug trafficking group and the investigation resulted in the removal of a significant quantity of cocaine from our community," Knapp said.

The following ten people were charged:

Abel Mejia-Lara, age 37 of North Bergen, was charged with the following:

• 1 count of First-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of First-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 3 counts of Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• 3 counts of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 3 counts of Second-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 4 counts of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine

Mejia-Lara is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility with an upcoming hearing.

Erlin N. Duarte-Oseguero, age 27 of West New York, was charged with the following:

• 1 count of First-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of First-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 1 count of Second Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 2 counts of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 5 counts of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
• 1 count of Third-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 1 count of Fourth-Degree Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute

Duarte-Oseguera is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility with an upcoming hearing.

Cesar D. Acosta-Shuna, age 35 of Union City, was charged with the following:

• 1 count of First-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of First-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 2 counts of Second-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 3 counts of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
• 1 count of Second-Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine

Duarte-Oseguera is currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility with an upcoming hearing.

Maria G. Ramos, age 36 of West New York, was charged with the following:

• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine

Ramos was released on a Summons Complaint.

Yassir Martinez, age 40 of Morristown, was charged with the following:

• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of Third-Degree Distribution of Cocaine
• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
• 1 count of Fourth-Degree Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute

Martinez was released on a complaint.

Edwin Garcia, age 39 of Morristown, and Alexander Rodriguez-Bejaran, 43, from Linden, were charged with the following:

• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of Third-Degree Possession of Cocaine
• 1 count of Fourth-Degree Possession of Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute

Both were released on a complaint.

Rudy Mendez-Lopez, 20 of Morristown, and Gabriella Pieneda, age 32 of Morristown, and Walter O. Cabrera-Martinez, 36 of West New York, were charged with third-degree possession of cocaine. Mendez-Lopez and Pienda are currently in custody at the Morris County Correctional Facility with an upcoming hearing; Cabrera-Martinez was released on a summons.

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