As a part of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office’s continued effort to combat drug distribution in and around Paterson, officials just arrested three individuals for drug-related offenses, two of whom are accused of drug distribution, while the other is facing drug possession charges.
Law enforcement officials from the Passaic County Sheriff s Office recently raided a home located at 9 Hopper Street, where they reportedly discovered 616 Oxycodone pills, the value of which has been estimated at $15,000. Officers also recovered $3,500 in cash, as well as ledgers documenting alleged drug transactions.
Three individuals were taken into custody in connection with the search: 25-year-old Marissa Mango and 26-year-old Marcelo Pucheta, who are accused of selling drugs out of the Hopper Street residence, as well as 25-year-old Wayne resident Kelly Hughes, who was reportedly observed leaving the home shortly before her arrest.
Mango and Pucheta are now facing multiple drug charges, including possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute. As for Hughes, she has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance for the 6 oxycodone pills allegedly found in her possession at the time of her arrest.
Mango and Pucheta have likely been charged with second degree possession of CDS with intent to distribute based on the number of pills seized during the investigation. In fact, under New Jersey law, a person can be charged with second degree intent to distribute OxyContin if he or she is found in possession of 100 or more pills. These crimes are punishable by a State Prison term ranging from 5 to 10 years, in addition to a fine of up to $300,000. Clearly, these defendants may be subject to severe penalties if convicted in this case.
For additional information regarding this matter, access the following article: $15K in Oxycodone seized, two people charged with dealing in Prospect Park
