Hudson County Drug Bust Nets 5 Arrests, Xanax and Oxycodone

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Hudson County police have arrested five people, including residents of Belleville, Kearny and East Newark, in connection with the alleged distribution of prescription drugs.

According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, police made the arrests after a two-month investigation during which officers conducted undercover purchases in a drug sting that took place mainly in Kearny, but also in Newark and Hackensack.

On Aug. 1, officers arrested Rafael Rivera, 25, of Kearny, Robert Cestari, 21, of Kearny, Stephanie Perez, 27, of Belleville, and a 26-year-old East Newark resident on multiple charges involving the distribution of the prescription drugs Xanax and oxycodone.

Prosecutors said that Rivera and the East Newark resident were arrested after officers made several undercover purchases in Kearny involving more than two dozen doses of Xanax. Cestari and Perez were arrested for their alleged involvement in previous undercover purchases.

The arrests resulted in the seizure of two vehicles, more than 200 Xanax doses, 10 oxycodone doses and currency, prosecutors said.

On Aug. 2, officers arrested Eric Berg, 36, of Hazlet, at his residence pursuant to a summons for his conspiratorial role in the Hackensack undercover operation. A subsequent search of his residence resulted in the seizure of more than 200 doses of Xanax, about eight ounces of marijuana and $1,000 in cash. Officers also seized Berg’s vehicle.

Prosecutors credited the Kearny Police Department, the Hazlet Police Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office for assisting in the arrests.

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