NJ Cop Cuffed In His Own Precinct, Charged In Drug Probe, Prosecutor Says

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — A North Bergen police detective who has won awards for his work was arrested this week in an ongoing drug investigation, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday.

The probe has resulted in 14 arrests — including two other people working for law enforcement — and the seizure of more than 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, prosecutors said.

The latest arrest is Christopher Orellana, 46, a police detective, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that Orellana was arrested on Monday by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Internal Affairs Unit. He was arrested at the North Bergen Police Department and released to await his first court appearance, prosecutors said.

He's been charged with one count of third-degree conspiracy to possess (cocaine).

Besides the arrests, the investigation has so far resulted in the recovery of two handguns, seven vehicles, and more than $70,000 in cash connected to the alleged crimes, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors first arrested seven people after executing search warrants at locations in North Bergen, West New York, and Union City on July 17.

Those arrests included 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.

The searches also led to the discovery of a narcotics production facility, prosecutors said.

READ MORE: 7 Arrested In Hudson County Drug Bust

The investigation is continuing, prosecutors said.