Cops Arrest Belleville Man for Operating Alleged 'Drug Bazaar'

Essex County police made a forced entry to a Joralemon Street home during a drug bust in Belleville on Tuesday, knocking down steel caged doors to reach Gabriel Rangel, 24, the target of their investigation.

According to a release, when detectives arrived at the home, they found the exterior surrounded by surveillance cameras. After making a forced entry through the doors and detaining Rangel, detectives discovered a “wide assortment” of drug processing materials and narcotics residue on a computer table in the home’s living room.

“It appears that the suspect was operating a drug bazaar that catered to many different tastes,” stated Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura in a release.

During their search of the residence, detectives found a plastic container in the basement which contained 40 glassine envelopes of heroin, stamped “ROLEX” in red ink, five grams of cocaine and 26 Ecstasy tablets.

In addition, police also found a safe containing 40 decks of heroin, 66 Ecstasy tablets, 57 Xanax pills and 30 doses of Oxycodone.

Rangel was charged with five counts each of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with intent to distribute and possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet of Hoover Avenue Park. Rangel was also charged with maintaining a fortified premises and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

During a Thursday arraignment, Judge Marilyn Williams ordered Rangel held at the county jail in lieu of $200,000 cash bond only.