Belleville Man Arrested In Large Drug Bust: Heroin, Coke, Pot

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Belleville resident was among five suspected drug distributors arrested last week as a result of a six-month investigation dubbed “Operation Triple Play,” authorities announced Wednesday.

Raul Concepcion, 29, of Belleville, was arrested with four other suspects on Dec. 1 and charged with helping to run a heroin, cocaine and marijuana distribution operation that extended throughout the city of Passaic and other surrounding municipalities in Essex and Bergen counties, prosecutors said.

As a result of the investigation police seized:

• 75 grams of suspected heroin, estimated at a street value of $5,000
• 1 pound of cocaine with a street value of $17,000
• 12 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $50,000
• $42,000 cash
• 1 handgun
• 2 vehicles

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Authorities charged Concepcion with alleged crimes including:

• Distribution of CDS (cocaine, more than five ounces; heroin, more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces; marijuana, more than one ounce but less than five pounds)
• Possession of weapon (handgun) by certain persons not to possess weapons
• Conspiracy to distribute CDS (marijuana in excess of 25 pounds)
• Possession of CDS (heroin, cocaine and marijuana)

Also arrested on Dec. 1 were:

Pedro Mangual, 36, of Passaic

• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Cocaine more than five ounces – a crime of the Second Degree
• Distribution of CDS, Marijuana – more than one ounce but less than five pounds – a crime of the Third Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Marijuana more than one ounce but less than five pounds– a crime of Fourth Degree
• Possession of CDS, Marijuana – a crime of the Fourth Degree

Leo Perez, 33, of Passaic

• Distribution of CDS, Marijuana more than five pounds but less than twenty five pounds– a crime of the Second Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Cocaine more than five ounces – a crime of Second Degree
• Possession of CDS Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of a School – a crime of Third Degree
• Possession of CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of a School – a crime of Third Degree
• Possession of CDS, Marijuana – a crime of the Fourth Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Marijuana more than one once but less than five pounds– a crime of Fourth Degree

Sharif Irving, 35, of Garfield

• Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility – a crime of the First Degree

Persio Lora, 22, of Garfield

• Possession of Weapon, Handgun – a crime of the Second Degree

The investigation, conducted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office-Narcotics Task Force, the City of Passaic Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, was also assisted by the following prosecutor’s offices and police departments: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Clifton, Ringwood, Totowa, Bloomingdale, West Milford, North Haledon, Woodland Park, Elmwood Park and Garfield.

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