Duo Sold Meth, Other Drugs From Secaucus Hotels, Police Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police say these two men ran an extensive operation selling methamphetamine, GHB (the "date rape" drug) and other drugs out of the many hotels in Secaucus and in nearby Hudson County towns.

In March of 2022, the Secaucus Police Department, along with West New York and North Bergen PD, began their investigation into the drug sales:

On April 23, Richard Rivera, 36, of North Bergen, was arrested at the Fountain Motel in North Bergen; he was wanted for an active warrant issued by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office for receiving stolen property with no bail, and a second warrant issued by Hoboken Police.

At the time of his arrest, Rivera had on him more than seven ounces of suspected methamphetamine, said police. He also possessed a quantity of suspected Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and drug paraphernalia.

Then, this past Wednesday, Secaucus Police detectives searched the North Bergen home of Christopher Healey, 45, on 53rd Street in North Bergen. During the search, detectives seized over eight ounces of suspected methamphetamine, over twenty ounces of suspected GHB, along with suspected cocaine, Xanax, Adderall, Percocet, Viagra, Clonazapm, Ecstasy, Psilocybin Mushrooms, Oxycodone and approximately three pounds of marijuana.

Several hundred dollars in cash plus a stun gun were also found.

“Vice activity will not be tolerated at our local hotels and the Secaucus Police Department will continue to work with our law enforcement counterparts to eradicate criminals who come to Secaucus solely to conduct their illicit activities,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “I want to praise the diligent and collaborative investigative efforts of the detectives who participated in this investigation, especially my Anti-Crime Unit, under the tutelage of Detective Sergeant Matthew Ford. I also want to thank the North Bergen and West New York Police Departments for their collaboration during this investigation.”

North Bergen Police Chief Peter Fasilis also said:

“Drug activity and other criminal behavior at our local motels not only negatively impacts the people who stay there, but it also affects the quality of life of our community. We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to interdict this type of activity and I am proud of the inter-agency cooperation which led to these arrests,”

“Our department is fully engaged with our law enforcement partners throughout the county and will continue to work diligently with all levels of law enforcement to suppress criminal activity. I commend the Secaucus Police Department on this investigation and the West New York Anti-Crime Unit for their participation,” West New York Deputy Chief Alejandro DeRojas said.