2 Men Busted For Drug Trafficking In South Jersey; $230,000 in Cocaine Seized: Prosecutor

Two men from Texas were arrested and five kilograms of cocaine worth $230,000 were seized following an investigation by the members of the Atlantic City Task Force and federal law enforcement, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said Thursday morning.

Esquio Salgado, 30, and Crisanto Ramirez, 33, were arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 18, on charges of first-degree distribution of cocaine, first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy, and third-degree possession of cocaine.

They were lodged in the Burlington County Jail, with bail set at $350,000 for Salgado and $200,000 for Ramirez.

The investigation began when the task force received information from an operative that Salgado and Ramirez were selling kilogram quantities of cocaine in South Jersey, Porrino said.

The operative arranged to buy five kilograms of cocaine from the men on Tuesday, Porrino said. Salgado and Ramirez were arrested right after the alleged sale took place.

“The Atlantic City Task Force was formed to make the city and the surrounding communities in South Jersey safer by combating the narcotics trade that often fuels violent crime,” Porrino said in a statement. “This drug bust is a shining example of the fine work of the task force.”

The task force consists of the Division of Criminal Justice, New Jersey State Police, State Parole Board, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, Atlantic City Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Brigantine Police Department and Pleasantville Police Department.

They were assisted in this investigation by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cherry Hill Office, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATFE), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New Jersey State Police TEAMS South Unit.

“Since its formation in 2011, the Atlantic City Task Force consistently has demonstrated the value of collaboration among law enforcement agencies,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “As this arrest demonstrates, the Task Force has done much to protect the people of Atlantic City against dangerous drug traffickers.”

“Since its formation in 2011, the Atlantic City Task Force consistently has demonstrated the value of collaboration among law enforcement agencies,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “As this arrest demonstrates, the Task Force has done much to protect the people of Atlantic City against dangerous drug traffickers.”

The attached images of Esquio Salgado and Crisanto Ramirez were provided by the Attorney General's Office