Raids net arrests and $100k in drugs
Police concluded a two-month long investigation Tuesday when they raided several homes in Trenton and Hamilton, arrested eight people and seized more than $100,000 in drugs.
According to Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri, the targets of the investigation were Julian Gonzalez and Matthew McGovern, whom were both apprehended while sitting on the front porch of McGovern’s Hamilton home Tuesday morning.
When police searched McGovern’s home they found 1,000 decks of heroin, 190 grams of powder cocaine, 28 diazepam pills, a digital scale, drug packaging material and $358 in cash, which was seized.
Gonzalez, prosecutors say, was found in possession of five decks of heroin, three grams of cocaine, two Endocet pills and $831 in cash, which was seized along with a 2009 Lexus.
Police later raided Gonzalez’ home in Hamilton and found 229 grams of powder cocaine ,400 decks of heroin, three oxycodone pills, drug paraphernalia and $165 in his bedroom.
Police also raided a home in the 700 block of Second Street in Trenton and found four females in the basement packaging heroin for distribution: Amanda Carmona, Cynthia Vasquez, Coraly Henriquez and Margarita Torres.
Prosecutors say the women saw the police raid happening via a surveillance system and tried to flush some of the heroin down the toilet. When police searched the basement they found approximately 1,243 decks of heroin, 80 grams of raw heroin, and drug paraphernalia, including a strainer, stamps, Scotch tape, digital scales, glassine packets and rubber bands. Prosecutors say an additional amount of raw heroin and packaged decks of heroin were found in the trap of the toilet.
Police seized $164 that was found in the basement of that Second Street home, and two vehicles that were parked outside. Police also arrested Rafael Soto, who lives at the property and arrived home during the raid.
Police also raided a home in the 600 block of Centre Street in Trenton and arrested Freddy Carrera, who was inside. During the search, police found four grams of raw heroin, firearm ammunition, 32 grams of powder cocaine, 16 amphetamine pills and drug paraphernalia. Police also seized two vehicles and $9,236 from the property as suspected drug proceeds.
When police searched Carrera, they found a gram of powder cocaine and $680, which was seized.
Police raided an apartment on Grady Road in Hamilton and found $16,800 in a safe. Police also found 20 decks of heroin in a cooler full of rice in the trunk of a 2003 Lincoln Continental that was parked in front of the property.
Prosecutors say the approximate street value of the seized drugs is $114,610.
Gonzalez, 25, is charged with numerous drug possession and distribution offenses. His bail was set at $600,000 cash only.
McGovern, 34, is also charged with numerous drug possession and distribution offenses; his bail was set at $250,000 cash or bond.
Carrera, 30, is charged with drug possession and distribution offenses; his bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond.
Carmona, 42, Vasquez, 27, Henriquez, 20, Torres, 43, and Soto, 43, are each charged with various drug possession and distribution offenses; their bails were each set at $200,000 cash or bond.