FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 2023
NARCOTICS TASK FORCE ARRESTS HOBOKEN MAN FOLLOWING MONTHS-LONG DRUG INVESTIGATION
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, the Hudson County Narcotics Task Force and the Hoboken Police Department arrested Michael Cruz, 31, of Hoboken, following a months-long investigation regarding the sale of illegal drugs.
During the course of the investigation, Cruz sold cocaine to an undercover officer on multiple dates in December 2022 and January 2023. A court authorized search warrant of Cruz’s apartment on Washington Street was executed on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, which resulted in the recovery of more than 100 grams of suspected cocaine. The street value of the drugs recovered throughout this investigation is approximately $7,000.
Cruz is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute/Distribution (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute/Distribution (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(2), crimes of the second degree; three counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute/Distribution (Cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1) and 2C:35-5b(3), crimes of the third degree; five counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute/Distribution (Cocaine) Within 500 Feet of Public Property in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1a, crimes of the second degree; five counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute/Distribution (Cocaine) Within 1,000 Feet of a School in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a, crimes of the third degree; and 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. Cruz is currently being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility pending his first court appearance.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Narcotics Task Force and the Hoboken Police Department 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)