$25G in drugs seized; undocumented immigrant arrested
Monday, February 15, 2010
By Carmen Cusido
STAFF WRITER

Mercer County investigators yesterday seized $25,000 in drugs and arrested an undocumented immigrant who allegedly was making drug sales.

Detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), assisted by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, executed a search warrant around 8:30 a.m. yesterday, arresting Jesus Reyes, 43, at 161 Sherman Ave., where he was renting a second-floor room.

Investigators found 36 bricks of heroin and 70 grams of crack cocaine hidden behind the bed after searching the room, and also seized $1,620 in cash, according to a county prosecutor's press release.

The prosecutor's office received information about two weeks ago that an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic was allegedly selling heroin and cocaine in Trenton. Investigators were able to identify their suspect as Reyes within two weeks and they also were able to learn the area where he was living and making drug sales.

Reyes was charged with two counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school and with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the Mercer County Correction Center on $75,000 bail and a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Lt. Rich Frascella, who heads the SIU, said in a prepared statement that the large quantity of drugs Reyes was intending to sell meant he was serious about the business he was trying to establish in Trenton. Frascella also stated detectives concentrated their efforts during the two-week SIU investigation so that Reyes would not have time to get his feet planted, adding that the seized drugs have an approximate street value of $25,000.

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