Hoboken Cops Bust 'Open-Air Drug Market' on Friday

Responding to resident complaints about drug dealing at the West Side Plaza strip mall, Hoboken police conducted a large narcotics bust on what they described as an “open air drug market” on Friday, resulting in the arrest of 15 suspects.

According to a statement from Hoboken Police Chief Kenneth Ferrante, the operation was conducted after multiple residents complained that several restaurants and stores had been “overrun” by drug dealers hanging out in the areas surrounding 301 Jackson Street.

No suspects or officers were injured during the incident, reported police.

In the statement, Ferrante described the situation as an “open-air drug market.”

The arrests took place after a two-month investigation that was performed by a collaborative effort between the Hoboken Police Narcotics Unit and the Hudson County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Task Force.

According to police, the operation began with an arrest two days earlier, when police arrested Orlando Martinez near his residence at 917 Clinton Street. A search warrant uncovered that Martinez possessed approximately five ounces of marijuana, along with crack cocaine, heroin and steroids, as well as over $30,000 in cash. Martinez was arrested on 15 drug charges.

“I was disturbed to hear the accounts of residents explaining how West Side Plaza was no longer safe for children, seniors, and the rest of the good people of the Hoboken Housing Authority,” stated Ferrante. “It was also tough to be patient while the investigation took all of its necessary steps as I pleaded with residents and store owners who were growing frustrated that we were working on it without being able to tell them what we were doing. Tonight, West Side Plaza is much safer as many who were making that area unsafe have been put behind bars.”

“This investigation began in response to community concerns, and I thank all the residents who raised their voices about public safety,” stated Mayor Dawn Zimmer.

The arrestees included:

• Kishaun Gilyard, 20, Hoboken
• Jarell D. Lee, 23, Hoboken
• Dyshawn G. Ladson, Jersey City
• John P. Ramos, 42, Jersey City
• James Fields, 27, Jersey City
• Julio Fermaint, 22, Hoboken
• Stacey Johnson, 44, Hoboken
• Julian Braxton, Hoboken
• George Pickett, Hoboken
• Larry Ladson, Jersey City
• Curtis Jefferies, Hoboken
• Ray Latimer Jr., Hoboken
• Armando Roman, Hoboken
• Lavada Evans, Hoboken