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Ex-Con In Edgewater Stop Had Gun, High-Capacity Mags, Drugs, Cash Stashed: Police

An ex-con from New York City had a handgun, two high-capacity magazines, drugs and cash stashed in a secret compartment when an Edgewater police officer pulled his vehicle over, authorities said.

Wilson Ortiz

Wilson Ortiz

Photo Credit: BACKGROUND: Boyd A. Loving (file photo) / INSET: Edgewater PD

Officer Michael Colon stopped a Jeep Cherokee driven by Wilson Ortiz of the Chelsea section of Manhattan for several violations near police headquarters on River Road shortly before 2 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20.

While talking with him, Colon became suspicious and requested a Bergen County Sheriff’s K-9 unit, Detective Lt. Steven Tibus said.

Edgewater Officers Ricardo Hernandez, Julian Delgado and Dan Massuda also responded as backup, he said.

The dog indicated drugs during an exterior sniff, leading to a search that turned up the 9mm handgun, magazines, an ounce or so combined of cocaine and heroin, a small amount of illegal prescription tablets and $4,000 in suspected drug cash in a hidden “trap,” the lieutenant said.

The license plate also didn’t match the Jeep, he said.

Ortiz was charged with drug and weapons offenses – including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm – as well as money laundering and receiving stolen property (the plate).

He remained held Thursday in the Bergen County Jail pending court action.

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