LINDEN, N.J. – A Union County grand jury has indicted four Roselle residents on 19 drug-related charges following a two-month investigation by the Linden Police Department’s Narcotics Bureau that uncovered fentanyl disguised as prescription pills.

Christine Cintron, 25, Tyron Dieujuste, 32, Xavier M. Padilla, 26, and Juanita Padilla-Jacobs, 43, were arrested on October 3 after detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on E. 9th Avenue in Roselle. During the raid, officers seized 280 grams of cocaine, quantities of Xanax and Ecstasy, $6,280 in cash, and nearly 400 suspected Oxycodone pills, which subsequent testing revealed to be fentanyl.

“Fentanyl has exacerbated the opioid epidemic and destroyed the lives of many of our family, friends, and loved ones,” Linden Police Chief David Hart said in a statement. “The idea that this deadly drug is being disguised to appear like more widely-used prescription drugs is very concerning, and I am incredibly proud of the work done to save lives and take these pills off our streets.”

The grand jury indictment, issued December 4, includes multiple counts of third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, first-degree intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, and second-degree intent to distribute in a park zone. The defendants face significant prison time if convicted on the most serious charges.

Officials have pointed to the increasing presence of fentanyl in counterfeit pills as a major driver of the opioid epidemic. The synthetic opioid has been linked to 75% of opioid-related deaths in New Jersey, according to state data.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.