Nine members of a Freehold Borough cocaine distribution ring have been arrested following a nine-month investigation and charged with moving approximately one-third of a kilogram of cocaine a week, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.
The investigation, dubbed “Operation Snowball,” culminated with the Dec. 14 arrest of Hugo Hernandez as the alleged leader of a narcotics trafficking enterprise who was based primarily in the downtown Freehold Borough area, according to the prosecutor.
Four search warrants in Freehold Borough and one search warrant in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, were simultaneously executed on Dec. 14, leading to the arrest of nine men.
The prosecutor said the investigation revealed that Hugo Hernandez allegedly supplied numerous lower level dealers, including his brother, Carlos Hernandez-Campos, and Lucino Roldan-Coria, also known as Rufino Roldan.
Also identified in the operation were lower level dealers Antonio Romano-Jiminez, Miguel Garcia Tapia and Roberto Tlapa De La Era, who allegedly delivered cocaine at the direction of Hugo Hernandez to locations in downtown Freehold Borough, according to the prosecutor.
As a result of the investigation, more than 721 grams of cocaine and $14,943 were seized.
The prosecutor said Hugo Hernandez, 48, of Freehold Borough, is charged with one count each of first degree being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network; second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine; first degree distribution of cocaine; eight counts of second degree distribution of cocaine; eight counts of second degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; one count of third degree distribution of cocaine; one count of third degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; nine counts of third degree possession of cocaine; and one count of first degree distribution of cocaine.
If convicted of the charge of being the leader of a narcotics trafficking network, Hernandez faces a term of life imprisonment without being eligible for parole for 25 years.
Gramiccioni said Lucino Roldan-Coria, 58, of Freehold Borough, also known as Rufino Roldan, is charged with one count each of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine; three counts of second degree distribution of cocaine; three counts of second degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; two counts of third degree distribution of cocaine: two counts of third degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; five counts of third degree possession of cocaine; and one count of first degree distribution of cocaine.
Carlos Hernandez Campos, 35, of New Brunswick, is charged with one count each of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine; two counts of second degree distribution of cocaine; two counts of second degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; two counts of third degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of school property; two counts of third degree distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet of school property; two counts of third degree possession of cocaine; and one count of first degree distribution of cocaine.
Antonio Romano-Jiminez, 29, of Freehold Borough, also known as Merito Romero-Jimenez, is charged with one count each of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine; and first degree distribution of cocaine.
Miguel Garcia Tapia, 30, of Freehold Borough, is charged with one count each of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine; third degree distribution of cocaine; third degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; third degree possession of cocaine; and first degree distribution of cocaine.
Procopio Morales-Trinidad, 49, of Freehold Borough, is charged with one count each of second degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine; and third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
Gregorio Morales-Morales, 35, of Manalapan, is charged with one count of third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
John A. Depaola, 53, of Jackson, is charged with one count of third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
Roberto Tlapa De La Era, 35, of Freehold Borough, is charged with one count of third degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
The arrests were made with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force; U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Monmouth High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area working group; DEA Special Response Team; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office; Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office; and police from Asbury Park, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Tinton Falls, Freehold Borough, Manalapan, Highlands, Middletown, Holmdel, Keansburg, Hazlet, Franklin Township and New Brunswick.
