Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that as a result of a two-month investigation conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics, Gangs and Violent Crimes Task Force into a heroin distribution operation extending through Passaic and Bergen Counties, the below four individuals were arrested and charged on February 12, with narcotics-related offenses stemming from the investigation.
Officials say members of the following police departments assisted the investigation; Hackensack, Passaic, Totowa, Wayne, Woodland Park and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.
**Mr. Carlos Nunez, 48, of Hackensack, NJ**
Possession of CDS, Heroin – crime of the Third Degree
Distribution of CDS, Heroin –crime of the Third Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS, Heroin in excess of 1⁄2 ounce but less than 5 ounces – crime of Second Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 1000 feet of a School – crime of the Third Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Housing – crime of the Second degree
**Mr. Jose M. Hernandez, 51, of Passaic, NJ**
Possession of CDS, Heroin – crime of the Third Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS, Heroin in excess of 1⁄2 ounce but less than 5 ounces - crime of the Second Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 1000 feet of a School – crime of the Third Degree
Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS within 500 feet of Public Housing – crime of the Second degree
**Mr. Vincenza Occorso, 33, of Passaic, NJ**
Possession of CDS – crime of the Third Degree
**Grinkin Ulrich, 63, of Paterson, NJ**
Possession of CDS, heroin – crime of the Third Degree
Officials say in December 2019, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office received information that individuals were distributing large amounts of heroin in the city of Paterson.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office launched an extensive investigation into the activities of Carlos Nunez and Jose M. Hernandez.
As a result of the investigation and as of today’s date, approximately 645 envelopes of suspected heroin, with an estimated street value of $6,000, and upwards of $140,000 cash along with one vehicle were seized.
The second-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of ten years in prison, and the third-degree charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to detain Carlos Nunez, which will be before the Honorable Donna Gallucio, a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, on February 18, at 9 am. Jose Hernandez and Vincenza Occorso were placed on a summons and are scheduled for Central Judicial Processing on Monday, March 2, 2020, in the Criminal Division, Superior Court of New Jersey, Passaic Vicinage.
Grinkin Ulrich is pending a pre-trial conference date.