Cape May Court House, New Jersey – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Paul Skill announce the arrest of Hector Perez-Heredia, a 40-year-old resident of Rio Grande, NJ and the conclusion of a Narcotics investigation into the distribution of Heroin throughout Cape May County.
Perez-Heredia was arrested on February 2, 2022, by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force and a Court authorized search warrant was executed at his residence, The Prime Inn Motel in the 1000 block of Route 47 in the Rio Grande section of Middle Township. This investigation was initiated by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force and assisted by members of the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, Middle Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
A search of Perez-Heredia’s residence and vehicle resulted in the seizure of over 6,000 individual bags of heroin with a potential street value of over $75,000. Also seized were a loaded 9mm handgun and approximately $7,000 in U.S. Currency. The handgun was determined to be a “Ghost Gun”, utilizing manufactured parts and having no serial numbers.
Perez-Heredia was charged with the following: 2C:35-5B(1) Distribution of CDS-1st degree; 2C:39-5B(1) Unlawful Possession of a Firearm-2nd degree; 2C:39-4.1A Possession of a Firearm While Committing CDS Offense-2nd degree; 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of CDS-3rd degree; 2C:21-25A Money Laundering-3rd degree; 2C:39-9(K) Purchase Firearm Parts-3rd degree; 2C:39-3J Prohibited Weapons-4th degree; and 2C:36-3 Possession/Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia-4th degree. Perez-Heredia was subsequently lodged at the Cape May County Correctional Center pending Court proceedings. *
Prosecutor Sutherland would like to thank the continued efforts of the members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force. This task force is currently comprised of Detectives from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Task Force Officers from the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, the Ocean City Police Department, the Wildwood Police Department, the Wildwood Crest Police Department and Agents from the DEA.
Prosecutor Sutherland advises that a person convicted of a first-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of 15 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Prosecutor Sutherland stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local municipalities and federal partners to target anyone selling illegal controlled dangerous substances. Prosecutor Sutherland continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity or any criminal activity within community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597, or to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.