NTF Seizes Two Kilos of Cocaine and Handguns

07 Mar NTF Seizes Two Kilos of Cocaine and Handguns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caitlin Mota
PHONE: (201) 577-6699
EMAIL: cmota@hcpo.org
DATE: Tuesday, March 7, 2023

OVER TWO KILOS OF COCAINE, HANDGUNS, AND HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES RECOVERED IN NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force has seized over two kilograms of cocaine, two handguns, and high capacity magazines following a months-long narcotics investigation in West New York.

Rowaldi Caceres, 39, and Hilda Membreno, 29, both of West New York, are each charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(1), a crime of the first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon While Committing a CDS Offense in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, a crime of the second 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; Money Laundering in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a, a crime of the third degree; three counts of Possession of Prohibited Devices in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3j, crimes of the fourth degree; Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)/2C:35-5b(1) and 2C:5-2, a crime of the second 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 Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), a crime of the second degree.

Caceres is additionally charged with Possessing Firearm Parts Without a Serial Number in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-9k, a crime of the second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1), a crime of the second degree; Possession of Prohibited Devices in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3f, a crime of the fourth degree; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4a(2), a crime of the second degree.

On Sunday, February 26, 2023, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force executed a court-authorized search warrant of an apartment shared by Caceres and Membreno. The search resulted in the recovery of more than one kilogram of cocaine – with the street value of approximately $35,000 – a handgun, three large capacity magazines, and approximately $30,000, suspected proceeds from narcotics transactions. Caceres and Membreno were arrested at the scene.

The following day, a court-authorized search warrant of Caceres’ car was executed. The search resulted in the recovery of a handgun with hollow point bullets. Over two kilograms of cocaine were seized during the course of the investigation.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General with the investigation and arrest. The above charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).