Fentanyl Production Scheme Shut Down With Arrests In Hoboken, Jersey City, Essex County

NORTH JERSEY, NJ —Six people were arrested, seven handguns were confiscated, and more than 17 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl were found during a narcotics investigation that came to a head last week in Hudson and Essex counties, said Hudson County officials.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and the Hoboken Police Department searched locations in Hoboken, Jersey City, Elizabeth and Montclair and arrested six people, prosecutors said Friday.

Investigators seized seven guns (two of which were stolen), more than 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, and other illegal
narcotics with a street value in excess of $15 million, officials said.

Additionally, over $20,000 in suspected proceeds from narcotics transactions was seized, they said.

The following people were arrested as a result of the investigation:

• Darryl Mobley, 37, and Erica Rivera-Mobley, 41, both of Montclair, are each charged with first-degree operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility (heroin/fentanyl), first-degree operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility (cocaine), multiple weapons charges, and possession with intent to distribute charges related to heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.

• Marquis High, 34, of Hoboken, is charged with possession with the intent to distribute related to cocaine and marijuana, including within 1,000 feet of a school. He's also charged with money laundering.

• Anthony Crawford, 38, of Elizabeth, is charged with possession with the intent to distribute related to fentanyl/heroin and cocaine, including within 1,000 feet of a school. He's also charged with money laundering and weapons charges.

• Darrell Love, 25, and Chad Robertson, 41, both of Jersey City, are each charged with possession with the intent to distribute related to heroin and fentanyl, including within 1,000 feet of a school, and weapons charges.

Fentanyl has proved so potent that authorities have launched a "One Pill Can Kill" campaign to let people know that even trying the drug for the first time can be fatal. Other drugs can be laced with dangerous doses of fentanyl.

Prosecutor Esther Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Hoboken Police Department with the investigation, with assistance from the Essex County Tactical Response Team, Union County SWAT, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Unit, the Montclair Police Department, the Elizabeth Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, and the Essex County K9 Unit in the arrests.