CHESTER — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announced the arrest of several cocaine traffickers following a two month drug investigation in western Morris County.
Members of the Chester Borough Police Department received information regarding cocaine distribution within their jurisdiction. Thereafter, an investigation commenced and intelligence was developed by members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police and officers assigned to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.
Multiple individuals were identified as the persons alleged to be distributing cocaine from their residence.
On August 14, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at a residence in the Long Valley section of Washington Township. As a result, about 262 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street retail value in excess of $16,000, various packaging and distribution materials, and some $15,000 in U.S. currency were seized.
The Narcotics Task Force subsequently arrested Arnoldo Castro Balcarcel, 42, Long Valley; Gerson Manuel Castro Balcarcel, 19, Long Valley; and Rolando Cabrera Hernandez, 24, Long Valley.
The trio has been charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, namely cocaine, in a quantity greater than 5 ounces, plus third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
They were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in Morris Township default of $250,000 bail.
A fourth suspect, Oscar Castro Balcarcel, of Long Valley, was charged with third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, cocaine. He was issued a summons and released.
Judge Ira Cohen authorized the warrant complaints and bails for the defendants.
“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit continues to combat dangerous drugs being distributed throughout Morris County,” said Prosecutor Knapp.
“The success of these investigations and the efforts against narcotics related offenses is not possible without our municipal, county and state partners, who not only contribute to intelligence gathering efforts but also supply officers to the Morris County Narcotics Task Force.”
The prosecutor said the following agencies played a prominent role in the investigation: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Enforcement Unit, Chester Borough Police Department, Washington Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
The investigation was led by Captain Michael Rice and Lieutenant V. Harrison Dillard of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division and Chester Borough Police Chief David Jara.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Erin Callahan of the Special Operations Division and supervised by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bradford Seabury.
