Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of Robert Wichowski, 31, and Xiomara Frias-Barbosa, 28, from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, for drug-induced death and related drug offenses. The operation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Hackensack Police Department, led by Chiefs Matthew Finck and Michael Antista.
On November 2, Hackensack Police Department responded to a medical emergency involving the death of a 54-year-old man. Evidence suggested a Fentanyl overdose, prompting an investigation.
Following a thorough investigation, detectives identified Wichowski and Frias-Barbosa as suppliers of the fatal drug dose. With support from Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Hasbrouck Heights PD, and Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, a search warrant was executed on March 5 at their residence, leading to the seizure of several hundred bags of suspected Fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
Both individuals were charged with numerous offenses including strict liability for a drug-induced death, possession and distribution of Fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.