FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 2023

APPROXIMATELY TWO KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE SEIZED DURING NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Wednesday, May 10, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, in coordination with the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations-Newark Office, arrested a Harrison man following a week-long narcotics investigation.

Jose Estrada-Castillo, 60, is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; 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; Conspiracy in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2, a crime of the first degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (Cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a crime of the third degree; and Possession (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), a crime of the third degree. He was arrested in the area of Harrison Avenue and Third Street in Harrison and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.

During the course of the investigation, approximately two kilograms of cocaine was seized. Estrada-Castillo was in possession of approximately 200 grams of cocaine at the time of his arrest.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations-Newark Office with the investigation and arrest. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).