Local arrests result from drug investigation
BY CHRISTINE VARNO Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH - - Two Long Branch men, one who is known to be a gang member, were among 10 Monmouth County suspects arrested on drug distribution and weapons charges as a result of a joint investigation by several agencies.

Ramon Rodriguez, 34, and Alejandro Burgos, 27, both of Long Branch, were arrested in their homes on Sept. 28 by officers with the Narcotics Strike Force and Gang Investigations Unit of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Rodriguez has been documented as a member of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation gang.

He and Burgos are being charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Bail was set at $1.5 million for Rodriguez, according to the release.

If convicted on all charges, Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of up to 55 years in prison, according to the release.

At the time of his arrest, the press release said, Burgos was found to be in possession of two loaded handguns, and he was also charged with possession of hollow-point bullets, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense and certain persons not to possess firearms, according to the release.

Burgos faces up to 86 years in prison and bail was set at $2 million.

Arrested in West Long Branch as a result of the investigation was Ricardo Padro, 30, Neptune Township, who was charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to the release.

Padro was also charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense and certain persons not to possess firearms. His bail was set at $1.6 million according to the release.

If convicted on all counts, Padro faces up to 161 years in prison, according to the release.

Commencing on Sept. 25 and continuing on Sept. 28, an investigation by the County Prosecutor's Narcotics Strike Force and Gang Investigations Unit resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals for committing drug distribution and weapons offenses in Monmouth County. The arrests were made with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey State Police, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Long Branch Police Department, Neptune Township Police Department and Asbury Park Police Department.

"These arrests demonstrate the commitment of all law enforcement agencies to work cooperatively to investigate and prosecute gang and drug related offenses in our communities," said Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin in the release.

"We will always utilize federal, state, county and local law enforcement partners to identify street gang members and to halt their criminal activity.

"All of the participating law enforcement agencies are commended for their strong support of this valuable partnership.

"We can achieve so much more by working together instead of working independently," he said.

As a result of the arrests, police seized approximately 15 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of approximately $500,000, as well as significant quantities of heroin and marijuana, according to the release.

In addition, several handgun, hollowpoint bullets, bulletproof vests, drug paraphernalia and thousands of dollars were also seized, according to the release.

Also arrested as part of the investigation were Neptune residents Tyson Abel, 31, and Kathleen Russo, 24, who are being charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Following their arrest, 68-bricks, or 3,400 bags of heroin, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun were recovered from their residence, according to the release. As a result, both were additionally charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, unlawful possession of handgun and possession of a firearm while in the course of committing a drug offense, according to the release.

Abel, who was arrested in Ocean Township Aug. 10 on a previous offense, was also charged with certain person not to possess firearms; bail was set at $2 million for Abel and $1 million for Russo.

Michael Smith, 21, of Neptune Township, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to the release which states that his bail was set at $1 million.

Luis Negron, 33, Carteret, and Angel Aviles, 34, and Luis Maldonado, 43, both of Newark, were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Following their arrest, a search of the residence of Negron's girlfriend, Luz Torres, 45, resulted in the recovery of cocaine and Torres was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, according to the release.

Bail was set for Negron at $2 million, Aviles' and Torres' at $1 million and Maldonado at $750,000.

All of the arrested individuals were lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, according to the release.