FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall PHONE: (201) 320-3550
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
DATE: Friday, June 30, 2023
MORE THAN 6 OUNCES OF COCAINE RECOVERED DURING NARCOTICS TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION IN HOBOKEN
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On Thursday, June 29, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force arrested Gustavo Santos, age 41, of Hoboken, and recovered more than 6 ounces of cocaine with a street value of approximately $10,000 following a months-long investigation.
Santos is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) to an Undercover Police Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; four counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) to an Undercover Police Officer within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1a, crimes of the second degree; three counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) to an Undercover Police Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(2), crimes of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) to an Undercover Police Officer in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(3), a crime of the third degree; and two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) to an Undercover Police Officer within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, crimes of the third degree. He was also charged with being a Fugitive from Justice from New York City, New York in violation of N.J.S.A. 2A:160-10.
Santos sold cocaine to an undercover police officer on multiple dates during the investigation in an aggregate amount of more than 6 ounces. He was arrested without incident on June 29 at the intersection of Newark Street and Washington Avenue in Hoboken and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the Hoboken Police Department and the Secaucus Police Department Canine Unit with the arrest and investigation. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6)