Three Arrested, Five Kilograms Of MDMA Seized In Narcotics Investigation

THREE CHARGED AND OVER $500,000. IN NARCOTICS SEIZED IN HUDSON COUNTY NARCOTICS INVESTIGATION

     "2 Hudson County Men & A Passaic County Man Face Decades In Prison After Being Charged In A Hudson County Narcotics Investigation."

Monday, February 26, 2024, 4:45 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NORTH BERGEN, NJ.- The Hudson County Narcotics Task Force deals a major blow to Narcotics Distribution in Northern New Jersey, in an investigation that yielded Three Men being Charged with Multiple Narcotics Offenses and over $500,000 in MDMA being Seized. 

     According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, that following an investigation, on Thursday, February 22, 2024, Three Men were Taken into Custody in North Bergen, New Jersey, by Members of The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Newark, and The United States Postal Inspection Service.

     During the course of the investigation, Detectives recovered over Five Kilograms of MDMA/Ketamine, having a Street Value of over $500,000, and a Handgun.

     The Three Men, Mauricio Hurtado, 42, of Secaucus, New Jersey, Jose Restrepo, 57, of North Bergen, New Jersey, and Carlos Florez, 49, of Bloomingdale, New Jersey, were each Charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute MDMA; Possession with the Intent to Distribute Ketamine; Conspiracy to Distribute MDMA; and Conspiracy to Distribute Ketamine. 

     Following the Arrests, a Court Authorized Search Warrant was Executed on Hurtado's Secaucus Apartment on Friday, February 23, 2024. during the Search, Detectives located a Handgun, and $100,000 in Cash consistent with the Sale of Narcotics, additional Narcotics were also located in The Apartment. 

     Accordingly, Hurtado was Additionally Charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute MDMA; Possession with the Intent to Distribute Ketamine; Possession of a Firearm While Committing a Controlled Dangerous Substance Offense; Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; Money Laundering; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute. 

     All Three Men were Processed on The Charges and Remanded to The Hudson County Correctional Facility pending Future Court Proceedings in Hudson County Superior Court.

     Narcotics Task Force Detectives described the Narcotics Recovered as Pink and Bright Yellow Substances most commonly used for recreational purposes and known for their Hallucinogenic Effects.

"The Rules Of The Court Requires Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."

FILED UNDER: FEBRUARY 26, 2024: LAW, HUDSON: