Cops: 13 Busted in North Jersey Bar for Dealing Cocaine, Pot

More than a dozen people were arrested and charged with various drug offenses at a Hopatcong bar after a month-long investigation uncovered narcotics distribution was taking place at the establishment, police said.

For more than a month, members of the Hopatcong Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, Roxbury Police Department, Sussex County Sheriff’s Office and Alcoholic Beverage Commission investigated activity taking place at Castaways Bar on Maxim Drive in Hopatcong, Lt. Thomas Kmetz said.

As part of the investigation, undercover officers found cocaine distribution taking place inside Castaways Bar, outside the bar, and in vehicles in the business’s parking lot, Kmetz said.

As a result, 13 individuals were arrested for either possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, or distribution of cocaine. During the bust, $900, two vehicles, 72 bags of cocaine, and “various quantities” of marijuana were seized, Kmetz said.

No employees of the business were arrested or accused of drug activity, but Castaways is now being investigated by the Department of Criminal Justice for the “blatant dealing of narcotics in their establishment,” Kmetz said. In addition, the bar is being charged for having “less than premium alcohol in bottles that were labeled premium alcohol,” Kmetz said.

The 13 individuals charged with drug activity are:

• Anthoni Moore, 26, Morristown, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana under 50 grams
• Chance Halyard, 25, Florida, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine
• Christopher Malakuskie, 37, Landing, possession of cocaine
• Christopher O’Connor, 29, Hopatcong, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine
• Christopher Setteducato, 30, Hopatcong, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine
• Deanna Ramirez, 41, Hopatcong, possession of marijuana
• Dejon Garcia, 27, Rockaway, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana
• Hope Lombardi, 31, Randolph, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, Roxbury and Dover warrants for $750 each
• Isael Ramos, 26, Dover, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, Belmar warrant for $228, Seaside Heights warrant for $500
• Kaitlyn Tallaksen, 22, Hopatcong, possession of cocaine
• Michael Ryder, 25, Hopatcong, distribution of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana
• Sean Prebor, 24, Hopatcong, distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine, possession of a drug scale
• Steven Serocke, 25, Hopatcong, possession of marijuana

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