Morris County Narcotics Task Force Indicts Three on Drug Charges

Published on March 21, 2018

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces the indictment of Jose M. Mejias, Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez, and [Redacted] on numerous CDS charges arising out of their distribution of cocaine and fentanyl in Mount Olive Township, Rockaway Township, and Rockaway Borough, New Jersey.

The CDS distribution charges relate to five (5) separate alleged distributions of fentanyl and/or cocaine. This investigation culminated on September 21, 2017, when a motor vehicle stop was made by the Rockaway Borough Police Department, which resulted in the arrests of Jose M. Mejias and Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez. Subsequent investigation led to the seizure of approximately seven (7) ounces of cocaine and two thousand four hundred and fifty (2,450) dosage units of heroin. The estimated street value of the illegal drugs seized is in excess of $20,500.

Jose M. Mejias, arrested in September 2017, was indicted on the following charges:

  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the First Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(2), a crime of the Second Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(4), a crime of the Second Degree;
  • five (5) counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • five (5) counts of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • five (5) counts of Possession of Fentanyl, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • two (2) counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • two (2) counts of Distribution of Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • four (4) counts of Possession of Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the Second Degree;
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(4), a crime of the Second Degree; and
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), a crime of the Third Degree.

Ines M. Rivera-Rodriguez, arrested in September 2017, was indicted for the following charges:

  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the First Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of one-half ounce or more but less than five ounces, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(2), a crime of the Second Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(4), a crime of the Second Degree;
  • two (2) counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • two (2) counts of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • two (2) counts of Possession of Fentanyl, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine in an amount less than One-half ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a crime of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Distribution of Cocaine in an amount less than one-half ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(3), a crime of the Third Degree;
  • three (2) counts of Possession of Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), crimes of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in an amount of five ounces or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(1), a crime of the Second Degree; and
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount of one ounce or more, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(4), a crime of the Second Degree.

[Redacted], arrested in February 2018, was indicted for the following charges:

  • one (1) count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), a crime of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Distribution of Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), a crime of the Third Degree;
  • one (1) count of Possession of Fentanyl, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10(a)(1), a crime of the Third Degree; and
  • one (1) count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in an amount less than one ounce, in violation of J.S.A. 2C:5-2 and N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5a(1)b(5), a crime of the Third Degree.

Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp wishes to thank the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Special Enforcement Unit (Narcotics Task Force and its participating agencies), the Mt. Olive Police Department, the Rockaway Borough Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff's Office for their efforts related to this investigation.

Prosecutor Knapp said, This investigation targeted individuals responsible for importing and distributing a steady supply of Fentanyl in Morris County. The Morris County Prosecutor's Office and its Narcotics Task Force partners will continue to combat the opiate epidemic through enforcement efforts targeting for profit drug dealers. This investigation was conducted under the direction of MCPO Captain Brian Keane, Commander of the Narcotics Task Force, and Detective Lieutenant Luis Sanchez of the Mt. Olive Police Department.

Despite the return of the indictment against these defendants, they are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at [email protected] or 973-829-8159.

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