FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, June 15, 2023
FOUR FIREARMS RECOVERED AS PART OF MONTHS-LONG NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
Following a months-long investigation, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force arrested David Pineiro, 29, of Jersey City, and recovered four firearms and various illegal narcotics with a street value of more than $50,000.
On Wednesday, June 7, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant of Pineiro’s Audubon Avenue apartment, which resulted in the seizure of more than 20 ounces of cocaine with a street value of approximately $30,000, approximately 14 ounces of heroin with a street value of approximately $22,000, and over one pound of marijuana. More than $25,000, suspected proceeds from narcotics transactions, was also found inside the apartment. Pineiro was arrested at the scene and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
As part of the ongoing investigation, a court-authorized search of Pineiro’s vehicle was conducted on Monday, June 12, 2023. Investigators recovered four firearms (two pistols and two rifles), a high capacity magazine, and a firearm silencer from inside the vehicle.
Pineiro 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 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a crime of the third degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (heroin) 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 (heroin) within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a crime of the third degree; Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a, a crime of the third degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(11)(b), a crime of the third degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (marijuana) within 1,000 Feet of a School, a crime of the third degree; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1) (handgun), crimes of the second degree; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5c(1) (rifle), crimes of the third degree; four counts of Possession of a Weapon While Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, crimes of the second degree; Possession of a Prohibited Device (high capacity magazine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession of a Prohibited Device (firearm silencer) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3c, a crime of the third degree; and four counts of Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7b, crimes of the second degree.
Pineiro remains in custody at the Hudson County Correctional Facility and is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force 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).