WNY police seize $1M worth of heroin in town’s largest drug bust
A pre-dawn raid Sunday by West New York police turned out to be the largest drug seizure in the town as well as one of the biggest heroin busts ever in the county.
Following up on an anonymous tip from a resident, the West New York Police Narcotics Unit entered a two-family house on Washington Street to find eight pounds of heroin – or $1 million in street value – a sophisticated marijuana growing operation, a drug packaging facility, and $1,200 in cash.
Five men, one from West New York, were charged with multiple felony charges related to manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs, and are being held at the Hudson County Correctional facility in Kearny with a bail set at $250,000 each.
Those charged were: West New York resident Alejandro Valdez, 34, of West New York; Christian Colon, 23, Victor Arias, 29, and Jose Delorbe, 25, all of the Bronx; and Jorge Guerra, 31, of Manhattan.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been contacted, and the investigation is continuing, city spokesperson Paul Swibinski said.
The West New York Police Department urges residents with knowledge of potential crimes to continue to use the town’s highly publicized tip line at (201) 295-5047.
Union City the scene of county’s first 2011 murder
Hudson County’s first murder of 2011 occurred Sunday, when a Union City man was stabbed to death in his home, allegedly by his mother’s boyfriend. The incident occurred after a heated argument between the two at a drinking party, according to a published report.
A 63-year-old Union City man allegedly stabbed Ernesto Martin Mora, 48, several times with a 9-inch kitchen knife, ultimately severing the victim’s femoral artery in his left thigh that caused massive blood loss.
The attack occurred at the first-floor apartment at 530 40th St., where a number of people had been socializing and drinking for several hours beforehand.
At some point, police believe, the suspect thought that Mora had disrespected him, which led to the violent exchange.
The suspect, a Peruvian national in the United States illegally, had bail set at $250,000 cash or bond when he appeared in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.
NHCAC offers free dental exams as part of national ‘Give Kids a Smile’ program
As part of the national “Give Kids a Smile” program, children between the ages of 3 and 12 can receive free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatment, and dental education on Friday, Feb. 4 at North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health Center, 714 31st St. in Union City.
The free dental services will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are very pleased to once again partner with the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) in providing these valuable free services,” says Christopher F. Irizarry, president and CEO of North Hudson CAC. “Dental health is an important part of every person’s overall well-being, and this is especially true for young children,” he adds.
For more information, or to make an appointment, please call (201)210-0200.
NJMC presents ‘Animal Junction’ Feb. 5
The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission is offering “Animal Junction: The Zoo that Visits YOU” on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.
Open to all ages, “Jungle Joe” of the Bucks County Zoo will give participants an up-close look at the wildly cool and unusual traits of 15 live animals, including mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Admission is $5 or $4 for members.
The event will take place at Meadowlands Environment Center at 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst. For more information, go to www.njmeadowlands.gov/ec or call (201) 460-8300.