North Caldwell Cops Assist In Large Drug Bust: Father, Son Arrested

North Caldwell, NJ – A multi-agency narcotics investigation involving the North Caldwell Police Department resulted in the arrest of a father and son and one of the largest drug seizures in local history, authorities said.

According to a police news release, authorities seized about a kilo of cocaine and a pound of marijuana during a raid at a Woodland Park home on Chestnut Grove Avenue on Friday.

Authorities arrested a father and son, Brandon Ortiz, 22, and Wilson Ortiz Jr., 53.

The joint operation involved the North Caldwell and Woodland Park Police Departments, the Passaic County SWAT Team/K9 Unit and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Due to the amount of drugs seized, the DEA was also called to assist with further investigation after the bust, authorities stated.

Authorities said that the investigation took several months and included surveillance, “following tips” and conducting interviews.

In addition to the cocaine and marijuana, authorities also confiscated:

• 83 vials of anabolic steroids
• “Large amounts of cutting agent”
• “Extensive drug paraphernalia”
• “Packaging material”
• More than $16,000 in cash
• Two motorcycles
• A Glock handgun (owned by one of the suspects)

Authorities charged Brandon Ortiz with:

• Maintaining and operating a facility used to manufacture CDS, 1st degree
• Possession of CDS (cocaine), 1st degree - possession of CDS (marijuana), 3rd degree
• Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute (cocaine), 1st degree
• Possession of CDS with the intent to distribute (marijuana), 3rd degree
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of hypodermic syringes
• Disorderly persons offense

Authorities charged Wilson Ortiz Jr. with:

• Maintaining and operating a facility used to manufacture CDS, 1st degree
• Possession of CDS (steroids) 3rd degree, - possession of CDS (steroids) with the intent to distribute, 3rd degree
• Possession of a stun gun, 3rd degree
• Possession of hypodermic syringes
• Disorderly persons offense

Both suspects were transported to the Passaic County Jail and held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

“The man-hours involved in an investigation of this magnitude were above and beyond the normal course of duty for police departments of our size,” North Caldwell Police Chief Mark Deuer and Captain Bill Texas stated in a news release.

Sign up for Patch NJ email newsletters here.