January 27, 2022

TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri today announced that a month-long investigation into narcotics distribution in the Trenton area has culminated with the arrest of a Jersey City man and the seizure of approximately $100,000 in cocaine.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, as part of an ongoing investigation, members of the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration were conducting surveillance in the city.  As a result of the investigation and surveillance, detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop of a silver BMW in the area of Parkway Avenue.  MCPO Detective Tom Paglione subsequently utilized his narcotic canine, Indy, to conduct an exterior and interior sniff of the vehicle.  Indy alerted to the scent of a narcotic odor inside the BMW and a search revealed a plastic bag containing a kilogram of powder cocaine on the rear floor next to the rear center console.

Hector Perez-Suarez, 31, of Jersey City, was detained without incident.  A search of his person revealed $2,100 in cash.  Perez-Suarez was charged with first-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with the intent to distribute.  The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain him pending trial.

According to Prosecutor Onofri, the total street value of the confiscated cocaine is $100,000.

Despite having been charged, all persons are presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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