Special Operations Group Makes Drug Arrest Beyond Ocean Country Borders

Toms River, N.J. – Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the arrest of four                      individuals as a result of a cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group.

 

Prosecutor Coronato stated, “Drug dealers importing their deadly product from jurisdictions outside of our county are targeting Ocean County residents for profit.  To stop the high number of overdose deaths we must stem this flow of illegal narcotics.  These arrests highlight the tremendous drug interdiction capabilities of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group.  They are to be commended for their investigative skill and courage in pursuing dealers beyond our borders in an effort to end the misery they import.  I also want to acknowledge the help and cooperation we received from of all the partnering law enforcement agencies outside our jurisdiction.”

 

The investigation alleges that individuals who currently reside in the Newark, NJ area established a drug distribution network in Ocean County and operated a CDS manufacturing facility located at 190 Emmet Street in Newark.          

 

The operation established probable cause to obtain search warrants, which were executed on Wednesday January 29, 2014.  The first took place at approximately 4:00 pm; detectives executed a search warrant on a silver 2009 Nissan Rogue that was located on Route 9 in the area of Sylvan Lakes Boulevard in Berkeley Township.  At the time of the stop, the 2009 Nissan Rogue was occupied by Eslin Santos, 27, of Newark, NJ and Manuel Valentin, 25, of Kearny NJ.  The second operation began at approximately 5:10 pm as members of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the New Jersey State Police Street Gang North Unit, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, and the Newark Police Department Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at 190 Emmet Street, Newark NJ.

 

As a result of the execution of the search warrant on the 2009 Nissan Rogue, approximately 2000 individual dosage units of heroin were found in the vehicle, Santos and Valentin were taken into custody, and the 2009 Nissan Rogue was seized pending forfeiture action.

 

As a result of the search warrant executed at 190 Emmit Street in Newark, law enforcement authorities confiscated an additional 800 individual dosage units of heroin, along with assorted paraphernalia used during the manufacturing, production and distribution of Heroin.  Police seized hundreds of new wax folds used to package heroin, assorted sifters, scales, stamps, electric grinders and mixers.  Also seized was approximately $9500 in suspected drug proceeds.  Idia Z. Torres, 36, and Alicia A. Ruddy, 23, of 190 Emmet Street, Newark were taken into custody at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

The following individuals were arrested as a result of this cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation:

 

Eslin Santos, 27, of 190 Emmet Street, Newark, NJ was charged with Possession Intent to Distribute Heroin (2 Counts: 2000 individual dosage units in Ocean County and 800 individual dosage units in Newark NJ), Possession of Heroin (2 Counts: 2000 individual dosage units in Ocean County and 800 individual dosage units in Newark NJ), and Maintaining a CDS Production Facility (Newark NJ).  The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Santos at $300,000 cash only.

 

Manuel M. Valentin, 25, of 183 Highland Avenue, Kearny, NJ was charged with Possession Intent to Distribute Heroin (2000 individual dosage units) and Possession of Heroin (2000 individual dosage units).  The Honorable Superior Court Judge Francis Hodgson JSC set bail for Mr. Santos at $150,000 no 10%.

 

Idia Z. Torres, 36, of 190 Emmet Street, Newark, NJ was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.   Ms. Torres was released on a summons to appear in court on a future date.

 

Alicia A. Ruddy, 23, of 190 Emmet Street, Newark, NJ was charged with Possession Intent to Distribute Heroin under one half ounce, Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Ms. Ruddy was released on a summonsto appear in court on a future date.

 

The following agencies assisted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group in the investigation:

 

Berkeley Township Police Department,

Newark Police Department, Emergency Response Team,

Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Narcotics Task Force,

New Jersey State Police,

Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit.

 

This investigation is continuing and additional arrests charges are expected.       

 

Despite these charges, the defendants are presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendants have all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.

 

 

                     Eslin Santos                                                                Manuel M. Valentin

                          

Idia Z. Torres                                                                      Alicia A. Rudd