NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

Paterson City, N.J. – A cooperative investigation headed by the New Jersey State Police led to the dismantling of two homes operating as heroin mills, and the seizure of guns, ammunition, and drugs valued at $116,400.

On Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, the New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking Unit, Street Gang Unit, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA HIDTA Task Force, conducted two separate motor vehicle stops as a result of an ongoing investigation. 

Juan Perez-Guerrero was driving a 2010 Honda Accord when he was stopped on Interstate 80 in Saddle Brook Township.  Troopers discovered that Perez-Guerrero and his passenger, Alexander Padro, were in possession of materials consistent with the packaging and distribution of heroin.  They were both arrested without incident.

Manuel Perez-Guerrero was driving a 2003 Ford Explorer when he was stopped on Interstate 80 in Hackensack City.  The investigation at the scene led to the discovery of 165 bricks of heroin and .40 caliber hollow point bullets, which were located in a hidden compartment inside the vehicle.  Manuel Perez-Guerrero and his passenger, Lakey Guerra-Pujols, were both arrested without incident.

Investigators later responded to two targeted locations, 64 18th Avenue, Paterson, and 258 Spring Street, Paterson, which were identified as suspected heroin mills.  A search of both residences revealed drugs, weapons, and materials consistent with the manufacturing and distribution of heroin.  At the Spring Street home, troopers arrested Luis Manuel-Tejada and Franklin Mejia.   

“The success of this operation prevented the distribution of a large quantity of heroin, and removed guns from the hands of criminals,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Due to the tireless efforts of the detectives involved, these drugs will never make it into our communities.  I am proud of the outstanding work of our troopers, members of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA.”

“I want to commend the New Jersey State Police, DEA, and our other partners who participated in this significant narcotics enforcement operation,” said Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik.  “The only way to truly stop the flow of illegal drugs is by actively enforcing our laws, and arresting those involved in its distribution.  The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office plans to continue to participate in future operations of this nature.”

At 64 18th Avenue, Paterson, N.J., the following evidence was seized:

• Semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun
• Hollow point bullets
• $16,841 U.S. Currency
• Materials consistent with the manufacturing of heroin

At 258 Spring Street, Paterson, N.J., the following evidence was seized:

• 146 bricks of heroin
• Semi-automatic .45 caliber handgun
• Handgun silencer
• Cocaine
• Materials consistent with the manufacturing of heroin
• 2004 Nissan Quest that contained 14 ounces of raw heroin and a semi-automatic .380 caliber handgun located in a hidden compartment

The suspects were charged as follows:

			Charges
Manuel Perez-Guerrero	29	Paterson, N.J.	Possession of Heroin Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Possession of Paraphernalia Possession of Hollow Point Bullets Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Lakey S. Guerra-Pujols	29	Oakfield, N.Y.	Possession of Heroin Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Possession of Paraphernalia Possession of Hollow Point Bullets
Luis Manuel Tejada, (aka Jose Romero-Rivera)	40	Paterson, N.J.	Possession of Heroin and Cocaine Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Possession of Paraphernalia Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Receiving Stolen Property
Franklin Mejia	43	Paterson, N.J.	Possession of Heroin and Cocaine Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute Possession of Paraphernalia Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Receiving Stolen Property
Juan E. Perez-Guerrero	22	Paterson, N.J.	Conspiracy to Commit CDS Offenses Possession of Paraphernalia
Alexander Padro	23	Paterson, N.J.	Conspiracy to Commit CDS Offenses Possession of Paraphernalia

All six suspects were lodged at the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $250,000 full cash bail.

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

# # #

Follow the New Jersey State Police online at Twitter and Facebook. The social media links provided are for reference only. The New Jersey State Police do not endorse any non-governmental websites, companies or applications.

For additional information visit our website at www.njsp.org.