Three men arrested as investigators break up cocaine ring – wobm.com
Three more drug dealers are off the streets in New Jersey as Somerset County Prosecutors announced the conclusion of a four month sting looking into the distribution of cocaine in the community.
Through their investigative work, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force seized nearly 172 grams of cocaine (six ounces) which they said has an estimated street value of $10,320.00.
The three men apprehended for dealing cocaine are 44-year-old Christian Duarte, 35-year-old Fernando Villa, and 22-year-old David Hernandez-Garcia, who all reside on Elizabeth Street in South Bound Brook, New Jersey.
Duarte turned out to be the ring leader of this particular cocaine distribution operation and when the Task Force was investigating his wheeling and dealing from a nearby residence, they spotted him mid-deal and later placed him under arrest.
(Photo Courtesy: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office)
They found him in possession of 101 grams of cocaine (approximately 3.5 ounces) at that time and it was enough to help the Task Force Detectives secure a Superior Court ordered search warrant for the residence which is where they found the rest of the cocaine and packaging material with help from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
Authorities also learned that David Hernandez-Garcia and Fernando Villa lived there as well.
Hernandez-Garcia was arrested at that point without incident for his role in the distribution of cocaine while Fernando Villa, who was not present at the time, was later found along Main Street where arrested without incident as well.
Duarte is charged with 1 count of 1st degree Distribution of CDS (cocaine), 2 counts of 2nd degree Distribution of CDS (cocaine), 2 counts of 2nd degree Distribution of CDS (cocaine) within 500 feet of a public park and 2 counts of 3rd degree Distribution of CDS (cocaine) within 1000 feet of a school zone.
Villa is charged with 1 count of 2nd degree Possession of CDS (cocaine) with the Intent to Distribute and 1 count of 4th degree Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
(Photo Courtesy: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office)
Hernandez-Garcia is charged with 1 count of 3rd degree Possession of CDS (cocaine).
Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said that Duarte and Villa were lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing while Hernandez-Garcia was released on his own recognizance, pending a court appearance.
Prosecutor McDonald and Chief of County Detectives John Fodor ask anyone with information on this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force at (908) 575-3300.