Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the indictment of Jose M. Mejias, Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez, and Casimiro Richiez-Martinez on numerous CDS charges arising out of their distribution of cocaine and fentanyl in Mount Olive Township, Rockaway Township, and Rockaway Borough, New Jersey.
The CDS distribution charges relate to five separate alleged distributions of fentanyl and cocaine.
This investigation culminated on September 21, 2017, when a motor vehicle stop was made by the Rockaway Borough Police Department, which resulted in the arrests of Jose M. Mejias and Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez.
Subsequent investigation led to the seizure of approximately seven ounces of cocaine and two thousand four hundred and fifty dosage units of heroin. The estimated street value of the illegal drugs seized is more than $20,500.
Authorities arrested Jose M. Mejias in September 2017, and indicted him on the following charges:
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more;
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces;
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more;
• five counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• five counts of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• five counts of Possession of Fentanyl;
• two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce;
• two counts of Distribution of Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce;
• four counts of Possession of Cocaine;
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more;
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more; and
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce.
In addition, police arrested Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez, in September 2017, was indicted on the following charges:
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more;
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces;
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more;
• two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• two counts of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• two counts of Possession of Fentanyl;
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount less than One-half ounce;
• one count of Distribution of Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce;
• three counts of Possession of Cocaine;
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more; and
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more;
Officials arrested Casimiro Richiez-Martinez, in February 2018, was indicted on the following charges:
• one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• one count of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce;
• one count of Possession of Fentanyl; and
• one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce.
Prosecutor Knapp said, “This investigation targeted individuals responsible for importing and distributing a steady supply of Fentanyl in Morris County. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and its Narcotics Task Force partners will continue to combat the opiate epidemic through enforcement efforts targeting for-profit drug dealers.” This investigation was conducted under the direction of MCPO Captain Brian Keane, Commander of the Narcotics Task Force, and Detective Lieutenant Luis Sanchez of the Mt. Olive Police Department.
Despite the return of the indictment against these defendants, they are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.