Authorities seize $500G worth of cocaine in raid October 5, 2007 - Asbury Park Press
Ten arrests include reputed member of Latin Kings gang
FREEHOLD — Ten people, including a reputed member of the Latin Kings street gang, have been arrested on drug and weapons offenses in a drug sweep that netted more than a half-million dollars worth of cocaine.
Approximately 15 pounds of cocaine, with a street value of more than $500,000, was seized, along with 3,400 bags of heroin and a quantity of marijuana, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin. In addition, several handguns, hollow-point bullets, bulletproof vests, and thousands of dollars in cash were seized.
The arrests were made in a two-day operation on Sept. 25 and 27 by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force and Gang Investigations Unit, along with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, state and local police departments.
Ramon Rodriguez, 34, of Long Branch, who has been documented by law enforcement authorities as a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation street gang, was arrested Sept. 28 in Long Branch and charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of cocaine, and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
At the time of his arrest, Rodriguez was found to be in possession of cocaine, resulting in an additional charge of third-degree possession of cocaine, authorities said. His total bail was set at $1.5 million.
Also arrested were:
Ricardo Padro, 30, of Neptune, on Sept. 28 in West Long Branch. Padro was charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, five counts of second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, five counts of second-degree distribution of cocaine, two counts of first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, two counts of first-degree distribution of cocaine, and one count of second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
At the time of his arrest, Padro was found to be in possession of approximately one ounce of cocaine and a .380-caliber handgun, authorities said. As a result, Padro has been charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, second degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, third-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense and second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms. His total bail was set at $1.6 million.
Tyson Abel, 31, and Kathleen Russo, 24, on Sept. 28, at home in Neptune City on complaints charging them with third-degree possession of cocaine, first degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of cocaine and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Following their arrest, 68 "bricks" of heroin (3,400 bags) and a loaded .380-caliber handgun were recovered from their residence, authorities said. A "brick" is a bundle of 50 bags of heroin. As a result, both were also charged with third degree possession of heroin, second degree possession with intent to distribute heroin, third degree unlawful possession of a handgun and second degree possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense. Abel was additionally charged with second degree certain person not to possess firearms. Abel's bail was set at $2,050,000 and Russo's at $1,050,000.
He had previously been arrested on Aug. 10 in Ocean Township, and was charged with possession of approximately 4 kilograms of cocaine.
Michael Smith, also known as "Mas," 21, of Neptune, at home on Sept. 28 on charges of third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of cocaine and second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Smith's bail was set at $1 million.
Smith had previously been arrested on Aug. 5 in Long Branch and charged with possession of approximately 200 grams of cocaine, authorities said.
Alejandro Burgos, 27, of Long Branch, at home on Sept. 28 on charges of third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of cocaine, and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
At the time of his arrest Burgos was found to be in possession of approximately seven ounces of cocaine and two loaded handguns, one was 45 calibers and the other was a 9-mm weapon, authorities said. As a result, Burgos was issued additional complaints charging him with third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, fourth degree possession of hollow-point bullets, two counts of third-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense, and second-degree certain persons not to possess firearms. Burgos' bail was set at $2,050,000.
Luis Negron, 33, of Carteret; Angel Aviles, 34, and Luis Maldonado, 43, both of Newark; and Luz Torres, 45, of Roselle, Negron's girlfriend. Negron, Aviles and Maldonado were arrested on Sept. 25, in Newark and charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine, after they were found to be in possession of approximately one kilogram of cocaine.
Following their arrest, a search of Torres's home resulted in the recovery of approximately two additional kilograms of cocaine, authorities said. Torres was arrested and charged with third-degree possession of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Bail was set at $2,000,000 for Negron, $1,000,000 each for Aviles and Torres, and $750,000 for Maldonado.
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