Bergen County Man Indicted On Attempted Murder Charge In Connection With Online Drug Ring: Attorney General

A Bergen County man was charged with conspiracy to commit murder after authorities discovered his role in an operation to sell and ship cocaine and other designer drugs through the mail, said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman.

Eric Rodriguez, 45, of Cliffside Park, was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder in a racketeering indictment Thursday in connection with the drug ring. Rodriguez was indicted for allegedly plotting to murder a former associate of the group and his bodyguard, Hoffman said. The motive was allegedly regarding a dispute over drugs and drug proceeds, Hoffman said. He and Christopher C. Castelluzzo, 31, of Lake Hopatcong, allegedly purchased cocaine in bulk quantities, authorities said.

Rodriguez and three others allegedly prepared to kill the targeted victims, but the murders were never carried out, Hoffman said.

First-degree murder carries a 10- to 20-year state prison sentence, 85 percent of which must be served before parole would be offered.

During the investigation, which was called Operation Skin Deep by the Division of Criminal Justice, officials seized $1.2 million from the trunk of one of the members, one of the largest seizures in state history, Hoffman said.

The operation began when a detective identified individuals distributing cocaine while monitoring white supremacist groups in Atlantic City, authorities said. After allegedly making undercover purchases, detectives expanded the investigation to identify who was allegedly supplying those people with cocaine, Hoffman said.

“What began as an operation targeting several drug dealers in Atlantic City became a far-reaching investigation that extended into northern New Jersey and dismantled an online mail-order drug ring that was turning major profits,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “By following every lead, we dismantled this criminal enterprise and built a first-degree racketeering case.”

Eric Rodriguez, 45/New Jersey Attorney General's Office