Mahwah Cops Find 3 Lbs. Of Coke, 1 Lb. Of Marijuana During Stops

MAHWAH, NJ — Two drug traffickers were arrested after police found about three pounds of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment and one pound of marijuana during traffic stops Tuesday afternoon, authorities announced.

K-9 Officer Robert Rapp stopped a 2004 Nissan Armada on Route 287 North at 2:50 p.m. for an equipment violation, the chief said.

Rapp smelled burnt marijuana coming from inside the Nissan, Batelli said, and his police dog Remco found narcotics in the back of the vehicle's center console.

Rapp and Officer David Vega searched the vehicle and found a metal plate near the back of the center console; they also found a trapdoor that opened with an electronic hydraulic system inside the hidden compartment, Batelli said.

More than three pounds of cocaine, a small amount of marijuana and $678 was found inside the compartment, Batelli said.

The cocaine was in air-sealed packages with other substances added in what was an attempt to avoid being detected by a police dog, Batelli said.

Driver Pablo Perez Centenzo, of Buffalo, New York and passenger Jose J. Baez Perez, of Puerto Rico, were each charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana, Batelli said.

The street value of the narcotics seized was more than $75,000, Batelli said.

Centenzo and Perez were remanded to the Bergen County Jail, the chief said. Both men have extensive criminal histories, including drug trafficking, weapons and assault charges.

A few hours earlier, at noon, Officer Gregory Lehman stopped a white sedan at noon and found 1 pound of marijuana inside, said Chief James Batelli. Lehman searched the vehicle after he saw what he thought was marijuana and a vape pen on the passenger side of the vehicle, he said.

The vape pen contained THC, the active ingredient in marijuana and prescription medication, in addition to the marijuana, Batelli said.

Driver Christian Marin, 22, of Fruitland, Maryland, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana in excess of 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Two passengers including Lucas Jackson, 19, of Morristown, were arrested on various drug possession charges, Batelli said.

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