AJ's Go-Go Bar A Hub For Prostitution, Drugs, Secaucus Cops Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — A six-month long investigation into AJ's go-go bar in Secaucus just culminated this Tuesday with Secaucus Police making nine arrests and finding a wide range of drugs being sold at the business, including cocaine and pills.

Arrests were made on charges ranging from promoting prostitution to distribution of cocaine.

Secaucus Police say more than two ounces of suspected cocaine, more than 400 Oxycontin pills, suspected ecstasy, 40 Suboxone strips, more than 25 Alprazolam pills and more than 80 Amphetamine pills were also seized from the go-go bar on Secaucus Road.

Additionally, more than $40,000 in cash was seized as police suspect it is drug and prostitution proceeds.

"During the past two years, police calls for service increased dramatically at AJ’s," said Police Chief Dennis Miller, prompting Secaucus Police to launch the six-month investigation and surveillance.

“Increasingly in the past two years, crimes have routinely been committed within AJ’s at an alarming rate," he said.

Several aggravated and simple assaults have been reported at AJ's, firearms and other weapons-related incidents were reported along with a report of “shots fired” and an overdose in the bathroom of the bar.

It was also alleged that AJ's employees were promoting prostitution and selling illegal drugs to patrons.

During the investigation, undercover detectives with Secaucus Police purchased various quantities of cocaine from different employees of the establishment. Detectives were also offered sex for cash by numerous employees of the premises.

The state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Investigations Bureau and the state Division of Taxation also inspected AJ's in this time frame, but it's unknown if they issued any violations.

The following were charged as a result of the Secaucus Police investigation:

• Caroleen Garcia-Garcia, 41, of Bronx, NY was charged with three (3) counts of Engaging in Prostitution [2C;34-1b(8)], three (3) counts of Promoting Prostitution [2C:34-1b(2)] and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)]
• Maylin Hechavarria, 30, of Newark was charged with Engaging in Prostitution [2C:34-1b(8)] and Promoting Prostitution [2C:34-1b(2)]
• Leidy Munoz-Gomez, 40, of North Bergen was charged with Engaging in Prostitution [2C:34-1b(8)] and Promoting Prostitution [2C:34-1b(2)], four (4) counts of Distribution of Cocaine [2C:35-5b(3)], four (4) counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)] and four (4) counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine [2C:5-2/2C:35-5b(3)].
• Jason Koch, 52, of Hawthorne was charged with two (2) counts of Promoting Prostitution [2C:34-1b(2)] and Maintaining a Nuisance [2C:33-12c], six (6) counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine [2C:35-5b(2)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Oxycontin, Suboxone and Amphetamine [2C:35-5b(4)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Alprazolam [2C:35-5b(13)] and Money Laundering [2C:21-25a].
• Carlos Bustamante was charged with four (4) counts of Distribution of Cocaine [2C:35-5b(3)], four (4) counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)] and four (4) counts of Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine [2C:5-2/2C:35-5b(3)].
• Elizabeth Nauer, 33, of Bayonne was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1).
• Rosanni Reyes, 45, of Belleville was charged with Prostitution [2C:34-1b(8)] and Promoting Prostitution [2C:34-1b(2)].
• Jeana Branda, 32, of Secaucus was charged with Unlawful Possession of Knife [2C:39-5(d)].
• Frank Lovato, 54, of Wyckoff was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)]

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