Three people were arrested in a pre-dawn raid today on multiple drug charges at a North Ward Newark residence by a law enforcement task force comprised of Essex County sheriff’s detectives, New Jersey State Police troopers and federal agents from the United States Marshals Service.
According to officials, the task force responded to the 300 block of North 7th Street armed with an arrest warrant for Icxandro ‘King Dro’ Santiago, 38, and a search warrant for his first floor apartment.
Shortly after authorities surrounded the residence and announced their presence, a pit bull inside Santiago’s apartment was unleashed and seriously mauled a State Police K-9. In addition, a second sheriff’s detective was bitten multiple times by the uncontrolled pitbull. As a result of the attacks, a member of the task force was forced to fire one fatal shot at the animal.
Police detained Santiago, who was in violation of his federal parole status and in contempt of a recent Superior Court order, along with Kimberly Hardy, 38, and Michael Gonzales, 27, both of whom are residents of the building.
According to authorities, officers discovered 182 grams of heroin, 50 grams of cocaine, 16 grams of marijuana and a wide assortment of drug packaging and processing materials throughout Santiago’s apartment. The estimated street value of the narcotics is $40,000.
Officials charged Santiago with three counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of Dr. E. Alma Flagg School. In addition, Santiago was also charged with possession of narcotics paraphernalia and he was lodged at the county jail.
Hardy was charged with two counts of possession of CDS and issued a summons. She was, however, lodged at the county jail on an outstanding warrant issued by the East Orange municipal court. Gonzalez was issued a summons for possession of CDS and released in his own recognizance. He will be arraigned at a later date.
The sheriff’s detective and the State Police K-9 received medical attention for their wounds.