Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that six individuals were indicted on charges that they conspired to operate a heroin mill in Paterson and distribute large quantities of heroin. The charges are the result of an investigation by the New Jersey State Police.
The Division of Criminal Justice obtained a state grand jury indictment yesterday charging the following defendants with conspiracy (2nd degree), maintaining a heroin production facility (1st degree), possession of heroin with intent to distribute (1st degree), and other related offenses:
Marino Pimentel-Tejada, 35, of Paterson,
Antoipis Pimentel-Tejada, 30, of Paterson,
Isamar Batista, 26, of West New York,
Yinsys Pimentel-Tejada, 27, of Paterson,
Manuel Garcia-Tejada, 30, of Paterson, and
Nuris Dominguez-Lara, 34, of Paterson.
A seventh defendant, Robert Grady, 40, of Paterson, is charged in the indictment with second-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. Marino Pimentel-Tejada and Grady were arrested on June 1, 2016, as a result of an investigation by the New Jersey State Police Trafficking North Bureau targeting the alleged distribution of large quantities of heroin in the Paterson area by a ring allegedly controlled by Marino Pimentel-Tejada. He and Grady allegedly had 135 bricks of heroin in their possession when detectives arrested them as they met inside a vehicle driven by Grady on 28th Street in Paterson. A brick consists of approximately 50 single-dose glassines of heroin wrapped in a bundle. Grady also allegedly had several methamphetamine pills.
The State Police subsequently executed search warrants for Marino Pimentel-Tejada’s residence in the 1100 block of East 24th Street in Paterson as well as his vehicle. The other five defendants were inside Marino’s residence when State Police executed the search warrant. Detectives allegedly discovered a heroin milling operation, including a table overflowing with glassines containing heroin, as well as numerous boxes containing empty glassines. The State Police seized approximately 79 grams of raw heroin, 3,791 glassines of heroin, grinders, sifters, a digital scale, empty glassines, and other packaging materials from the residence. In Marino’s car, detectives allegedly found more than $20,000 in cash, as well as a handgun and a shotgun contained inside a concealed hydraulic compartment. In total, detectives seized more than 300 grams of heroin and more than $55,000 in cash in the investigation.
In connection with the guns seized from his car, Marino Pimental-Tejada also is charged with possession of a weapon in the course of committing a drug offense (2nd degree), unlawful possession of a handgun (2nd degree), and unlawful possession of a shotgun (3rd degree). In addition, he and each of the other defendants face third-degree heroin possession charges, and all except Grady face a charge of third-degree money laundering.
The first-degree heroin charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison, with a fine of up to $500,000 for the possession with intent charge, and up to $750,000 for the production facility charge.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Peter E. Warshaw in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Passaic County, where the defendants will be ordered to appear in court at a later date for arraignment.