Major NJ Drug Ring Connected To 33 Deaths Busted

Authorities have busted a major fentanyl and heroin mill in New Jersey that distributed its narcotics in wax folds stamped with brand names that have been linked to 93 overdoses, including 33 deaths, according to the Office of Attorney General.

Some of the band names of the stamps were "Dunkin Donuts," "Donald Trump" and "Pink Panther."

Approximately 70,000 individual doses and an additional four kilograms of suspected fentanyl and heroin – with a total street value of over half a million dollars – were seized, along with two handguns and $165,526 in cash, according to an OAG release.

George Encarnacion, 28, of Newark allegedly ran the opioid mill, which was set up in a second-floor apartment at 214 Eastern Parkway in Irvington, according to the release. He allegedly operated the mill with associates working under him, including Jonathan Perez-Payano, 28, of Newark, and Nelfy Ulerio, 19, of Irvington, according to the release.

The three men were arrested last week, when the investigating agencies executed search warrants at the mill and other locations. They face first-degree charges of maintaining a narcotics production facility and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Another associate, Steffany Castillo-Candalari, 28, of Newark, was arrested and charged with second-degree conspiracy to distribute narcotics, according to the release.

The OAG was assisted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Morris Plains Police, Cliffside Park Police, Nutley Police, Harrison Police, and Newark Police.

“This is another victory for our Opioid Enforcement Task Force and another case where we undoubtedly saved lives by stopping countless doses of fentanyl and heroin from reaching drug users, including doses stamped with the same brand names as drugs linked to 33 deaths,” said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.

“We will continue to pursue this proactive and collaborative strategy – spearheaded by our new State Police-led task force and the Division of Criminal Justice – to take down drug mills and other major drug sources and choke off the supply line of deadly opioids coming into our communities. I thank all of our task force partners and I commend the investigators who are diligently pursuing all leads to identify major fentanyl and heroin suppliers and bring them to justice.”

Investigators seized the following items when they executed a search warrant at the mill location on the second floor of 214 Eastern Parkway in Irvington:

• Over 1,400 bricks (consisting of 50 wax folds each) of suspected heroin/fentanyl, plus hundreds of loose wax folds of heroin/fentanyl (approximate street value of $350,000)
• Approximately four kilograms of suspected fentanyl or fentanyl mixed with heroin (approximate street value of $200,000)
• Handgun with large capacity (30-round) magazine
• Hundreds of empty wax folds
• Other packaging and milling material including 17 grinders, two kilogram presses, scales, sifters, boxes of tape, mixing agents and other mill paraphernalia
• 22 rubber ink stamps bearing different brands. Twelve of the brand names on the stamps are the same brands that have been linked to 93 overdoses, including 33 fatal overdoses and 60 non-fatal overdoses.

“We know that our state is home to far too many people struggling with addiction,” said Grewal. “But we ask that, no matter what challenges you’re facing in your life, if you see heroin stamped with these markings, please, please stay away from it. Your next fix could be your last.”

“If you encounter any of these stamps, please notify law enforcement,” continued Grewal. “Many departments and County Prosecutors across our state allow individuals to turn in drugs and paraphernalia, no questions asked.”

Investigators executed a search warrant at Encarnacion’s apartment in Newark, where they seized $137,000 in cash, 5 grams of heroin, a scale, and packaging materials. They also executed a search warrant at the apartment shared by Perez-Payano and Castillo-Candalari, which is in the same apartment building, where they seized $28,526, a money counter, and a stolen handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets, according to the release.

Encarnacion, Perez-Payano, and Ulerio were held in the Essex County Jail pending detention hearings scheduled for today. Castillo-Candalari was released after being processed on the charges against her.