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Englewood crossing guard, seniors busted in Bronx-based cocaine network

A 64-year-old Englewood school crossing guard and two older men — one 65 and also from Englewood, the other 69 from Union City — were among 16 people who authorities said participated in a cocaine distribution ring that stretched across four North Jersey counties from the Bronx.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot File Photo
Photo Credit: Morris County Prosecutor's Office)
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

Aubrey Ward was originally taken into custody on Aug. 30, posted $65,000 bail and was released from the Bergen County Jail released on Sept. 5 — only to be picked up again on Tuesday.

He was being held on $150,000 bail in the Morris County Correctional Facility in connection with an operation that authorities was “responsible for the importation of multiple kilograms of cocaine into New Jersey.”

Others arrested include Clarence Edward West Jr., 65, of Englewood, Mingo R. Roach, 53, of Dumont; and Jose Suarez, 44, and 69-year-old Pablo C. Lopez, 69, both of Union City.

Aubrey Ward, Clarence Edward West Jr., Mingo Roach (Morris County Prosecutor’s Office)

West and Roach were each being held on $100,000 bail in the Morris County jail.

Search-warranted raids turned up more than two pounds of cocaine worth roughly $93,000 on the street, as well as four or so pounds of marijuana. Also seized were 13 vehicles used by those charged and more than $7,000 in alleged cash proceeds.

The probe began in April with a tip received by a Morristown police officer, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said. Prosecutors’ investigators from Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties were then brought in.

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp identified two New York City men who were arrested as supplieres — Camilo Rogelio, 46, known as “El Maestro,” and 51-year-old Julio “El Chino” Santana — as well as an unidentified man who remained at large.

With the exception of three people, the remainder of those arrested are over 40 years old.

Six have violent criminal histories, Knapp said.

Most were “wholesale drug distributors as opposed to lower-level drug dealers or users,” the prosecutor said.

Rogelio was being held on Riker’s Island pending extradition to New Jersey.

Santana, meanwhile, was being held on $500,000 bail in the Morris County lockup.

The others:

Daniel Payamps, 44, of Paterson;
Alberto Diaz-Moreno, 45, of Elizabeth;
Carlos Escobar, 27, of Dover;
Angelica G. Villanueva, 26, of Dover;
Israel Santa, 51, of Dover;
Jairo Rada-Medina, 44, of Dover;
Rosemberg Giraldo-Arboleda, 48, of Madison;
Johel Teo, 43, of Rockaway;
Carlos Andreas Salinas-Cartagena, 35, of Lake Hiawatha;

 

 

 

 

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