Secaucus college student charged in online drug marketplace
A 20-year-old Secaucus college student on April 16 was among 15 people arrested across several countries in connection with an online drug marketplace that sold various types of drugs including marijuana, LSD, Ecstacy, ketamine, and mescaline, according to news reports.
An indictment unsealed in federal court in Los Angeles claims eight men ran “The Farmer’s Market,” which allowed suppliers of drugs to anonymously sell their wares online. The suppliers hooked up with buyers in 34 countries and accepted various forms of payment, including cash, Western Union and PayPal transactions, the indictment claims.
Operations began as far back as 2006 and from 2007 to 2009 more than 5,000 orders for drugs valued at over $1 million were processed.
The 12-count indictment charges eight men with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and money laundering conspiracy. Some of the men also are charged with distributing LSD and taking part in a continuing criminal enterprise.
All could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of conspiracy.
In addition, seven other people were arrested on suspicion of drug crimes on April 16 in the Netherlands, Georgia, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and authorities seized hallucinogenic mushrooms, hashish, LSD, marijuana and ecstasy.
In the case of the additional arrests, authorities are still trying to determine their connection to the online marketplace.
Town gets two new train and bus ticket kiosks
Starting this month, N.J. Transit will offer visitors, employees, hotel guests and commuters the opportunity to purchase N.Y.C. and other regional N.J. Transit train and bus tickets at two kiosks located in the Harmon Meadow area of Secaucus , according to a press statement.
The kiosks are located at the bus stop directly in front of 500 Plaza Drive across from Embassy Suites Hotel, and at the bus stop located adjacent to 200 Plaza Drive across from the Hyatt Place hotel. Both locations accept cash, credit cards and ATM cards.
Visitors to both bus shelters can catch a free weekday only shuttle to the Secaucus Junction train station or pay fares for buses to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York, Newark’s Penn Station and Hoboken Station.
“We are thrilled to work with New Jersey Transit to provide train and bus tickets at our Harmon Meadow development,” said Emanuel Stern, president and COO of Hartz Mountain Industries. “These bus stops service nearly 500,000 visitors and commuters per year—the kiosks will make their traveling or commuting to Manhattan or other areas of New Jersey much easier for them.”