Following a month-long investigation conducted by the Belleville Police Department, a Belleville resident is now facing a host of charges related to marijuana production and distribution, cocaine, and other drug-related offenses.
According to Belleville Police Captain Anthony Romandetto, 36-year-old Martin Araya was taken into custody by detectives from the Belleville Police Detective Bureau Narcotics Squad at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th at his residence on Jerome Avenue in Belleville.
After executing a search warrant to search the premises, authorities discovered a fully-operational marijuana production set-up in the basement, which included a growing container, heat lamp, marijuana plants, and plant seedlings. Officials also found marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, drug paraphernalia, large quantities of packaging supplies, a police scanner, and $24,674 in cash, all of which was subsequently taken into evidence.
As a result of the investigation, Araya is facing 18 counts of drug-related charges and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, with his bail set at $150,000. Among the crimes for which he is accused, Araya could be facing charges for Manufacturing, Distributing, or Dispensing Marijuana, Manufacturing, Distributing, or Dispensing Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, among others.
If he has been charged with Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, governed under
Following a month-long investigation conducted by the Belleville Police Department, a Belleville resident is now facing a host of charges related to marijuana production and distribution, cocaine, and other drug-related offenses.
According to Belleville Police Captain Anthony Romandetto, 36-year-old Martin Araya was taken into custody by detectives from the Belleville Police Detective Bureau Narcotics Squad at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25th at his residence on Jerome Avenue in Belleville.
After executing a search warrant to search the premises, authorities discovered a fully-operational marijuana production set-up in the basement, which included a growing container, heat lamp, marijuana plants, and plant seedlings. Officials also found marijuana, cocaine, mushrooms, drug paraphernalia, large quantities of packaging supplies, a police scanner, and $24,674 in cash, all of which was subsequently taken into evidence.
As a result of the investigation, Araya is facing 18 counts of drug-related charges and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, with his bail set at $150,000. Among the crimes for which he is accused, Araya could be facing charges for Manufacturing, Distributing, or Dispensing Marijuana, Manufacturing, Distributing, or Dispensing Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, among others.
If he has been charged with Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:35-4, this is classified as a first degree offense, which is the most serious under the New Jersey Criminal Code. First Degree crimes are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, charges for Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility are subject to specific sentencing requirements known as the “Brimage Guidelines,” which eliminate the defense attorney’s opportunity to argue for a downward departure at the time of sentencing.
Regardless of the specific charges against him, Araya is likely facing a significant term of incarceration if he is ultimately convicted.
For additional information regarding this case, access the following article: Belleville police arrest 36-year-old man, seize narcotics, $24K cash
, this is classified as a first degree offense, which is the most serious under the New Jersey Criminal Code. First Degree crimes are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, charges for Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility are subject to specific sentencing requirements known as the “Brimage Guidelines,” which eliminate the defense attorney’s opportunity to argue for a downward departure at the time of sentencing.
Regardless of the specific charges against him, Araya is likely facing a significant term of incarceration if he is ultimately convicted.
For additional information regarding this case, access the following article: Belleville police arrest 36-year-old man, seize narcotics, $24K cash
