2017 News Release

State Police Arrest Four Men and Seize $9.6 Million Worth of Heroin

North Bergen Township, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police have arrested Jesus Carrillo-Pineda, 30, of Sierra Mojada, Coahulia, Mexico, Daniel Vasquez, 27, Jesus Yanez-Martinez, 21, both of Somerton, A.Z., and Omar Rodriguez, 37, of Willingboro, N.J.  The arrests resulted in the seizure of 120 kilograms of heroin.

During a month-long investigation, State Police detectives from the Trafficking North Unit determined that one or more of the suspects were involved with drug trafficking.  On Wednesday, June 28, State Police detectives along with members of the North Bergen Police Department located and arrested Carillo-Pineda, Vasquez, and Yanez-Martinez in the parking lot of a business in North Bergen Township after observing an alleged drug transaction.  The arrests resulted in the seizure of 40 kilograms of heroin.

On Thursday, June 29, State Police detectives from the Trafficking South Unit continued the investigation with assistance from Willingboro Police Department, and conducted a search at 78 Berkshire Lane in Willingboro, N.J.  As a result, detectives arrested Rodriguez and seized 80 kilograms of heroin, 3 kilograms of methamphetamine, 50,000 Percocet tablets, 3 kilograms of suspected fentanyl, and paraphernalia consistent with distribution.

“There’s no question that multiple lives were saved by this record-level seizure of heroin and fentanyl,” said Attorney General Christopher Porrino. “The 120 kilos of heroin seized by this team over the past two days would have been cut into millions upon millions of individual doses of heroin, made even deadlier if laced with the lethal fentanyl that was also seized. Beyond causing addiction and overdoses, these drugs, had they not been intercepted, would also have fueled immeasurable violence often associated with street-level drug dealing.” 

“Large scale narcotics trafficking investigations require significant cooperation, intelligence, sharing and trust among agencies,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.  “A seizure of this proportion is only possible through the combined efforts of our law enforcement partners.”

“With drug interdiction, the goal of law enforcement is to strike as deep as possible into the narcotics supply line,” said Director Elie Honig of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice. “With these seizures of heroin and fentanyl, the State Police hit the mother lode. We will prosecute those responsible for trafficking this poison to the full extent of the law.”

Jesus Carillo-Pineda, Daniel Vasquez, and Jesus Yanez-Martinez were charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and conspiracy.  Omar Rodriguez was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of paraphernalia.  Carillo-Pineda, Vasquez, and Yanez-Martinez were lodged at Hudson County Jail and Rodriguez was lodged at Burlington County Jail.  All are awaiting bail hearings.

This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.

Charges are mere accusations and the suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Jesus Carrillo-Pineda

Daniel Vasquez

Jesus Yanez-Martinez

Omar Rodriguez

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