The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force concluded a two-month investigation this week with the seizure of more than $65,000 in oxycodone and $2,000 in cocaine, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri reported.
Authorities say on October 15, at approximately 4 p.m., members of the MCNTF initiated surveillance of Roberto Paula and three residences he utilizes in Trenton.
During the execution of search warrants, Paula was arrested along with Kelvin Tavarez-Martinez and Jennifer Rodriquez.
Authorities say detectives located 2,193 oxycodone pills, 20 grams of cocaine and $4,296 in cash during searches of 359 Second Street, 511 Second Street and 932 Lamberton Street, all in Trenton.
Paula, 27, Tavarez-Martinez, 24, and Rodriguez, 25, were each charged with second-degree narcotics offenses.
Paula was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after his arrest according to authorities.
Onofri stated that the seized oxycodone and cocaine have an approximate street value of $65,800 and $2,000, respectively.
Officers with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, the New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Hamilton, Princeton and Trenton police, under the command of the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit, assisted with the investigation.
Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.