11 Pounds Of Ecstasy, Ketamine Found In Apartment At XChange: Police

SECAUCUS, NJ — Law enforcement officers with the Hudson County Prosecutor raided an apartment at XChange last Friday, February 23, where they say they found more than 11 pounds of illegal drugs, more than $100,000 in suspected drug sale money and an illegally owned handgun.

The apartment was being rented by Mauricio Hurtado, 42, of Secaucus. The only address the prosecutor gave was an apartment on Riverside Station Boulevard (XChange).

Hurtado and two other men, Jose Restrepo, 57, of North Bergen, and Carlos Florez, 49, of Bloomingdale, were arrested.

More than five kilograms (11 pounds) of MDMA (ecstasy) and ketamine were being kept in the apartment, alleges Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Saurez. Her office described these as "pink and bright yellow substances most commonly used for recreational purposes and known for hallucinogenic effects."

The ecstasy/ketamine have a street value of more than $500,000, she said.

Friday's raid was the result of an ongoing investigation into these three men, done by Suarez's detectives and Homeland Security agents based out of Newark. The U.S. Postal Service was also monitoring Hurtado's mail.

All three were arrested Thursday in the area of 91st Street and Bergenwood Avenue in North Bergen. Following their arrests, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the Secaucus apartment a day later, Friday.

They were all charged with multiple drug offenses. Hurtado was additionally charged with possession with intent to sell the drugs, possession of a gun while committing a drug offense, money laundering and other charges.

Secaucus Police and North Bergen Police assisted.