Somerset County authorities announced the arrest of Mr. Jorge Diaz, 32, and Ms. Grethel Guevara, 29, of Hillcrest Avenue, Somerset for Possession of a CDS (cocaine over 5 ounces) with Intent to Distribute (1st Degree), Possession of CDS Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a public park (2nd degree), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (disorderly persons).
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Friday, September 11th, 2020 members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force in coordination with the United State Postal Inspection Service conducted a narcotics investigation into suspicious parcels being mailed to a Hillcrest Avenue residence in Somerset.
Officials say during the investigation, members of the United States Postal Inspection service, along with members of the Somerset County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force intercepted a suspicious package destined for the Hillcrest Avenue address.
Upon intercepting the parcel, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K-9 “Basilone” conducted an exterior sniff of the parcel, indicating a positive result for the presence of suspected narcotics.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, September 14th the Somerset County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force applied for, and were granted, a Superior Court anticipatory search warrant for the package and the Hillcrest Avenue residence. Subsequently, members of the United States Postal Inspection Service as well as members of the Somerset County Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force determined that Jorge Diaz received the suspicious parcel.
The Superior Court search warrant was executed on the residence, culminating in the discovery of Diaz and Grethel Guevara inside of the residence.
The results of the search yielded approximately ½ a kilogram (507 grams) of cocaine and various drug paraphernalia.
The estimated street value of the seized cocaine is approximately $50,000.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendants Diaz and Guevara were each charged with 1st degree Possession of a CDS (cocaine over 5 ounces) with the Intent to Distribute, 2nd degree Possession of CDS (cocaine over 5 ounces) with the Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a public park, and Disorderly Persons Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Defendants Diaz and Guevara were each lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.