5 Bergen County Residents Charged In Major North Jersey Drug Bust: Prosecutor

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Among 23 people snared in a major drug investigation in North Jersey last week, a Ridgewood man and woman and three other Bergen County residents were arrested, prosecutors said.

The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office said in a release that four kilograms of narcotics, eight weapons, and more than $300,000 cash was seized in the multi-agency probe.

"The investigation originated with complaints to the Wayne and Pompton Lakes Police departments about the sale of cocaine in Pompton Lakes and other areas in Passaic County," prosecutors said in a release.

The residents from Bergen County arrested in the sting were:

Nicolas Austeri, 38, of Ridgewood, charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), facing 3-5 years in state prison. He was released with the matter referred to a grand jury, prosecutors said.

Thomas Delvecchio, 33, of Saddle Brook, charged with possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession near school property, and possession of a prescription legend drug with intent to distribute. Each charge could get him 3-5 years in state prison. He was released with the matter referred to a grand jury, prosecutors said.

Christina Strippoli, 40, Ridgewood, charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS), facing 3-5 years in state prison. She was released with the matter referred to a grand jury.

Samir Vaughan, 31, Garfield, possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute, facing 3-5 years on each, processed and released.

Elme B. Torres, 40, Lyndhurst, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, faces 3-5 years, processed and released.

Prosecutors said, "As the investigation continued and various drug users and distributors were identified, the investigation expanded to include the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Haledon Police Department, Clifton Police Department, Passaic Police Department and the United States Secret Service."

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this
incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org