2 Men Ran Drug Operation In Cape May Co., Puerto Rico: Prosecutor

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ — A long-term drug investigation concluded with two Wildwood men receiving numerous drug charges, one of whom was responsible for running "a large-scale drug distribution network," the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office said.

Pedro Rodriguez-Lopez, 32, and Jose Roman-Maysonet, 25, who both live in the 200 block of Maple Ave in Wildwood, were charged as a result of the investigation, Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Wildwood Police Chief Robert Regalbuto announced.

The investigation began in May 2021, when Wildwood police seized "multiple kilograms" of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) and about $65,000 in cash, officials said.

Wildwood Police Department Detective Division, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, GGNTF
and the DEA investigated.

Authorities determined that Rodriguez-Lopez had been running a "large-scale drug distribution network" throughout various jurisdictions in Wildwood, Middle Township, Lower Township and Puerto Rico, officials said.

On Sept. 8, the Cape May County and Atlantic County regional SWAT teams executed ten search warrants within Cape May County, officials said.

Combined with the original amount, about three kilograms of fentanyl/heroin and $115,000 in cash were seized, officials said. Authorities estimate the street value of the drugs to be more than $750,000.

This is an ongoing investigation and additional arrest warrants may be issued. Sutherland urged anyone with information regarding this narcotics distribution investigation to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135 or anonymously through the Prosecutor’s Office Tip System by visiting cmcpo.tips. This information can also be reported to the Cape May County Sheriff's Tip line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-889-3597.

Rodriguez-Lopez was charged with:

• Maintaining or operating a CDS production facility, a 1st degree offense
• Conspiracy to maintain or operate a CDS production facility, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (heroin), greater than 5 ounces, a 1st degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (cocaine), greater than1⁄2 ounce, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (fentanyl), greater than 1 ounce, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (tramadol), a 3rd degree offense
• Money laundering, a 3rd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS paraphernalia, a 4th degree offense
• Possession with the intent to distribute within 500ft of public property, a 2nd degree offense.

Roman-Maysonet was charged with:

• Maintaining or operating a CDS production facility, a 1st degree offense
• Conspiracy to maintain or operate a CDS production facility, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (heroin), greater than 5 ounces, a 1st degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (cocaine), greater than 1⁄2 ounce, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (fentanyl), greater than 1 ounce, a 2nd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS (tramadol), a 3rd degree offense
• Money laundering, a 3rd degree offense
• Possession with intent to distribute CDS paraphernalia, a 4th degree offense
• Possession with the intent to distribute within 500ft of public property, a 2nd Degree offense.