Bergen Man Ran Multi-State Marijuana Trafficking Ring: Prosecutor

A Bergen County man is accused of running a multi-state marijuana ring that involved hiding the substance in large speakers and then shipping them to New York and New Jersey, authorities announced Friday.

Oscar Holguin, 39, of Englewood is the ringleader of the nationwide drug-trafficking network, said acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo.

Holguin made weekly trips to an area north of San Francisco, California where marijuana is often grown outside where he allegedly bought the substance for wholesale, Calo said. Holguin traveled using the guise of a music producer, Calo said.

Holguin reportedly packaged the marijuana inside large subwoofer speakers, which he then mailed to various places throughout New York and New Jersey, Calo said.

Detectives from the Bergen County Prosector's Office received a tip from a concerned citizens about suspicious packages being shipped from California to the area, the prosecutor said.

A two-month investigation, named Operation Loud Speaker, culminated in about 100 pounds of raw marijuana being seized throughout New York and New Jersey. Authorities found the marijuana inside of the subwoofer-style speakers, Calo said.

They estimate that Holguin and others shipped thousands of pounds of marijuana over the course of three or four years form California to New Jersey, Calo said.

Holguin, his girlfriend Paola Amador, 29, also of Englewood, and Natalie Stojanov, of Carteret, were arrested April 20.

Holguin and Amador were charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana in a quantity greater than 25 pounds and several drug possession offenses. Stojanov was arrested and charged with charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana in a quantity greater than 25 pounds.

Holguin and Amador are due to appear in Central Judicial Processing Court May 3.

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Photo: A graphic explaining how Oscar Holguin, 39, allegedly ran a multi-state marijuana trafficking ring and photos of Oscar Holguin, his girlfriend Paola Amador, 29, and Natalie Stojanov. (Bergen County Prosecutor's Office)