7 Union County Locals Charged In Sprawling NJ Drug Bust

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Seven Union County locals were among 47 to be charged in a massive drug bust that spanned four counties last week and seized more than $1 million in narcotics, authorities said.

"Operation Short Storm" was conducted in Newark, Harrison, Kearny and Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the Newark Public Safety Department.

Local arrests include:

• Kelvin Portes, age 30, of Elizabeth, was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• David Borges, age 33, of Hillside, is charged with was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• Luiz Esilva, age 53, of Linden, was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• Joseph Longueira, age 50, Union, was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• Gustavo Mendez, age 50, of Rahway, was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• Angelo Trindade, age 42, Rahway, was charged with Conspiracy to distribute CDS.
• Samantha Montez, age 24, of Hillside, was charged with Conspiracy, Possession of CDS, Possession of CDS w/ intent to distribute, Possession of CDS within 1000 feet of a school, Possession of Paraphernalia.

"It is alleged that drug dealers delivered to buyers at their homes or other locations throughout the Ironbound section of Newark in what was a retail business on wheels," prosecutors stated Tuesday.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said the alleged drug ring tried to avoid law enforcement attention by using inconspicuous vehicles to make deliveries to a "well-established customer base."

During raids on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, police seized more than 50 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms of cocaine with a combined street value of $1.1 million. Police also confiscated 62 oxycodone pills, three Xanax pills, jewelry, nearly $300,000 in cash, 12 vehicles – including two Mercedes Benz 500 sedans – and seven guns, including a .223 assault rifle and 12-gauge shotgun.

For the full list of the 47 charged click here.

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