The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force and the Princeton Police Department concluded a month-long joint investigation last week with three arrests and the seizure of marijuana, acid and pills, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
According to Prosecutor Onofri, an undercover operation was initiated into the marijuana and acid distribution network being run by Oleksandr Linnyk.
Officials say that during the course of the investigation, detectives conducted several undercover purchases of marijuana and acid. In the aggregate, Linnyk distributed marijuana and a first-degree amount of acid to an undercover officer. During that time, brothers Guillermo Velez and Andres Velez also distributed marijuana to an undercover officer.
Princeton, Hamilton and Trenton police departments and the Mercer County Sheriff’s SWAT Team, under the command of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit on July 25th, executed multiple search warrants.
Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop of Linnyk in Princeton and executed a search warrant on him. He was found to be in possession of seven acid tabs and taken into custody.
According to authorities, detectives arrested Andres Velez at a liquor store in Princeton and then executed search warrants at two houses on Red Oak Row. Approximately 25 grams of marijuana, $791 in cash and drug paraphernalia were found at the Red Oak Row residence where both Velez brothers live. Guillermo Velez was taken into custody at the house.
Officials say during a search of Linnyk’s residence revealed approximately 10 grams of marijuana, two acid tabs, three Xanax pills, one Suboxone pill and 10 grams of 2-CP, a synthetic hallucinogen. The seized narcotics have an approximate street value of $880.
Police charged Linnyk, 26, with numerous first-, second- and third-degree drug offenses. While Andres Velez, 22, and Guillermo Velez, 19, were charged with numerous third-degree drug offenses and released pending future court proceedings.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.