A retired detective, a corrections officer and a police dispatcher are among seven individuals arrested last week following a massive narcotics investigation in New Jersey, prosecutors said Monday.
The six-month operation, conducted by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Internal Affairs Unit, led to the seizure of more than 4 kilograms (about 9 pounds) of suspected cocaine, two handguns, seven vehicles and more than $70,000 in cash, Prosecutor Esther Suarez said in a news release. The recovered drugs have an estimated street value of more than $150,000.
Officials also uncovered what they described as a “narcotics production facility.”
All seven individuals were arrested in the early hours of July 17 at multiple locations in North Bergen, West New York and Union City.
Alfredo Diaz, 50, of Union City, was charged as the alleged leader of the narcotics network, along with multiple other offenses.
The three current and former law enforcement authorities arrested in the case are 56-year-old Ileana Hernandez, a dispatcher with West New York Police Department; 33-year-old Marquis Santiago, a Hudson County Correctional officer; and 60-year-old Thomas Mannion, a retired West New York police detective.
Hernandez faces charges including official misconduct, conspiracy to commit official misconduct and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, prosecutors said. Santiago is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine, while Mannion faces a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
The three others arrested Thursday are Edwin Martinez, 39, of North Bergen; Daniel Diaz, 28, of West New York; and Cristian Cortez, 55, of Englewood, officials said. They face charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, conspiracy, money laundering and weapons offenses.
