4 Bergen County Residents Charged, $520K Seized In Drug Trafficking Ring: State

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Four Bergen County residents were charged this week for their roles in an "organized" drug trafficking ring, officials said Wednesday.

Investigators seized 57 kilograms of cocaine, as well as quantities of ketamine and "pink cocaine," in the operation, as well as two guns and $520,000 cash, said state Attorney General Jennifer Davenport on Wednesday.

Four Bergen County residents were charged in connection with the scheme:

Kwang Joo, 40, of Palisades Park was charged with first-degree conspiracy as the organizer of a scheme to distribute cocaine, ketamine, MDMA (ecstasy), Adderall, Xanax, psilocybin, tusi (aka “pink cocaine”), oxycodone, and marijuana. Joo was also charged with possession of $520,000 in currency derived from criminal activity, drug possession/distribution, and weapons violations.

Hannah Oh, 29, of Palisades Park, was charged with maintaining and operating a drug production facility, money laundering, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and other drug and weapon charges.

Sung Sohn, 45, of Englewood Cliffs was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and cocaine possession.

Benjamin Oser, 41, of Fort Lee was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and cocaine possession.

The Attorney General's Office distributed this list:

Surveilled Joo's 'Couriers'

The New Jersey State Police Drug Trafficking North Unit began investigating the organization in January, officials said.

Detectives saw someone meet Joo in Palisades Park on Jan. 14. Joo gave the person a large black duffle bag, investigators said.

Police stopped the vehicle in Paterson and found nine kilograms of cocaine in the bag, officials said.

The investigation determined that Joo was operating a drug trafficking organization across the country, officials said Wednesday.

Detectives began surveillance in February of Joo's "main couriers."

One of them, Oser, allegedly collected bags from Joo in Palisades Park. Oser was arrested in Queens. Detectives found 14 kilograms of cocaine in his car.

The investigation uncovered other drug transactions involving the four defendants, including Joo giving Sohn a suitcase with 33 kilograms of cocaine.

A court-authorized search of a "narcotics stash location" turned up more cash, cocaine, other drugs, two guns, a rifle, and large-capacity ammunition magazines.

A total of 57 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of ketamine, 250 grams of tusi (pink cocaine), 880 grams of MDMA (ecstasy), 1,675 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 38,337 Adderall pills, five pounds of marijuana, 332 Xanax pills, 42 oxycodone pills and $520,000 were seized.

“Illegal drug trafficking and possession of dangerous weapons continue to be a huge threat to the safety of our residents,” said Davenport. “The complaints in this case describe a sophisticated network that was dealing in distribution of cocaine and other dangerous drugs and generating large cash proceeds.”

“Drug trafficking is not just a criminal enterprise—it is a direct engine of violence, tearing at the fabric of our communities and leaving a trail of lives lost in its wake,” said Jeanne Hengemuhle, acting superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.