New Jersey State Police say a months-long investigation into alleged drug and firearms trafficking led to the arrests of two Bergen County men
FORT LEE, NJ – A months-long investigation into an alleged narcotics and firearms operation spanning New Jersey and New York led investigators to 15 kilograms of suspected cocaine, approximately $180,000 and a handgun, according to New Jersey State Police.
Nelson Salcedo, 35, of Englewood, and Charles Gant, 62, of Paramus, were arrested and face multiple drug and weapons-related charges, State Police announced Wednesday.
The investigation began in April when members of the New Jersey State Police Weapons Trafficking North Unit and a New Jersey DEA enforcement group developed information identifying Gant as an alleged distributor of kilogram quantities of cocaine and firearms operating from a Fort Lee residence.
From April through July, investigators worked with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and used multiple investigative techniques to identify additional residences allegedly connected to Gant’s activities.
Investigators also identified vehicles and alleged co-conspirators suspected of participating in the transportation and distribution of narcotics and firearms throughout New Jersey and New York, according to State Police.
The investigation expanded to include the NYPD’s 25th Precinct Field Intelligence Unit and New York’s Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.
On Aug. 12, investigators arrested Gant in Fort Lee after allegedly observing him take part in a suspected narcotics transaction in New York.
Investigators subsequently obtained court-authorized search warrants for Gant’s residences and vehicles.
Those searches resulted in the seizure of 15 kilograms of suspected cocaine, one handgun and approximately $180,000, according to State Police.
Gant was arrested without incident.
New Jersey State Police also identified Salcedo as a second person arrested during the broader investigation and said both men face multiple narcotics and weapons-related charges. The portion of the State Police announcement provided did not detail the circumstances of Salcedo’s arrest, the evidence allegedly connected to him or the specific charges filed against each defendant.
The investigation involved New Jersey State Police, the DEA, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, NYPD and New York’s Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor.
The charges and allegations against Gant and Salcedo have not been proven in court.
Key Points
- Investigators seized 15 kilograms of suspected cocaine, approximately $180,000 and a handgun during a multi-agency investigation spanning New Jersey and New York.
- Charles Gant, 62, of Paramus, was arrested Aug. 12 after investigators allegedly observed a suspected narcotics transaction in New York.
- New Jersey State Police said Gant and Nelson Salcedo, 35, of Englewood, face multiple drug and weapons-related charges.