ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Seven men have been arrested and charged with first-degree narcotics distribution in separate incidents that led to the seizure of significant quantities of drugs and the dismantling of two drug manufacturing operations, police said.
On Feb. 20, detectives arrested Sefereno Castro, 39, after observing suspected drug transactions in Renaissance Plaza. A search of his vehicle uncovered 1,005 bags of heroin, cocaine, PCP, methamphetamine, and drug distribution materials.
On March 4, police executed a search warrant at a Pacific Avenue motel room, arresting five men and seizing nearly six ounces of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, mushrooms, and ecstasy, along with drug production equipment.
On March 6, Michael Horton, 32, was arrested after resisting officers outside a Kentucky Avenue motel. A search of his room and vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded handgun, 67 grams of cocaine, 150 bags of heroin, and evidence of a crack cocaine manufacturing facility.
All seven suspects face multiple charges, including maintaining a narcotics production facility, possession with intent to distribute, and money laundering.
From the ACPO:
The investigations were led by Detective Moustafa Maarouf.
ARRESTED: Serefeno Castro, 39, of Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Possession of CDS (seven counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (five counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone (five counts), money laundering, obstruction of justice, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Jose Perez, 28, of Pleasantville, NJ.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, possession of CDS (four counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), money laundering, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Dante Perez, 31, of Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, possession of CDS (four counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), money laundering, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Luis Rivas-Florian, 23, of Galloway, NJ.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, possession of CDS (four counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), money laundering, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Wayne Timms, 39, of Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, possession of CDS (four counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), money laundering, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Jean Luis Mesquita, 28, of Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, possession of CDS (four counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), money laundering, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.
ARRESTED: Michael Horton, 32, of Mays Landing, NJ.
CHARGES: Maintaining a narcotic production facility, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of a large capacity magazine, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of CDS (two counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (two counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public zone (two counts), money laundering, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and refusal to submit to fingerprinting.
