FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 2023

SECOND INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED IN UNION CITY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force has arrested a second individual following a month-long narcotics investigation in Union City.

Juan De Los Santos, 33, of Union City is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5), a crime of the third degree; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree; and Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1a, a crime of the second degree. He was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus on Wednesday, April 6, 2023 and transported to the Hudson County Correction Facility pending his first court appearance.

During the morning hours of Tuesday, April 4, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force executed a court authorized search warrant at a 25th Street residence shared by De Los Santos and Angela Santana, 35, of Union City. Upon making entry, Santana was found discarding suspected cocaine down a bathtub drain.

Santana was previously arrested and charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Fentanyl) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5), a crime of the third degree; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, a crime of the third degree; Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3a(3), a crime of the third degree; and Tampering with Physical Evidence in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(1), a crime of the fourth degree.

Investigators seized over 25 grams of cocaine, over a dozen fentanyl pills, and drug paraphernalia during the court authorized search of the apartment. Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force with the investigation and arrests. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).