Newark Police Bust Second Illegal 'Bar' In 2 Days: Authorities

NEWARK, NJ — Another pair of Newark residents have been accused of illegally selling alcohol at a large party amid the coronavirus pandemic, authorities say.

Detectives with the Newark Police Department’s vice crimes task force received reports about a large gathering taking place in the basement of a home on Taylor Street on Monday, according to the Newark Department of Public Safety.

Arriving on the scene around 12:20 a.m., police heard loud music coming from the residence and once inside, saw about 50 people drinking at tables, authorities said.

Police said that two people running a “bar” at the party – Argeni Castro-Taveras, 36, and Jesus Vilanueva, 28 – didn’t have any paperwork proving they held a license to sell alcohol.

Authorities said officers confiscated $775 in illegal alcohol proceeds along with “several bottles of liquor” at the scene.

Police arrested Castro-Taveras and Vilanueva and charged them with maintaining an illegal liquor establishment, illegal possession of alcohol and illegal sale of alcohol.

The charges were the same for a pair of Newark women accused of illegally selling alcohol at a large warehouse party on Sunday. During that incident, police found more than 200 people drinking, eating and gambling, authorities said.

• See related article: Newark Cops Find 200 People Partying At Illegal Warehouse 'Bar'

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