Secaucus Man Sold Cocaine From Paulanne Terrace Home, Police Charge

SECAUCUS, NJ — Editor's note: There were no major incidents in Secaucus during Sunday's snowstorm.

In June 2025, the Secaucus Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit received information that Mohamed Laib was distributing cocaine from his home on Paulanne Terrace, Secaucus Police announced in a press release distributed to the media Monday, Jan. 26.

During a seven-months long investigation, detectives from the Anti-Crime Unit kept a surveillance on Laib and observed him engaging in cocaine sales from his home, said police. He kept his cash proceeds at his Paulanne Terrace home in Secaucus, and stored the cocaine at his girlfriend’s home on the 1400 block of Paterson Plank Road in North Bergen, said police.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, Secaucus Police detectives said they observed Laib engage in a drug transaction on Fairview Avenue in Secaucus with Steven Liptai, 51, of Secaucus. Detectives simultaneously stopped both men. Both were found in possession of cocaine and placed under arrest.

Shortly thereafter, members of the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit, Detective and Patrol Divisions, Secaucus K-9 Unit and North Bergen Police Department conducted simultaneous court-authorized warrant searches of the homes on Paulanne Terrace and in North Bergen.

Approximately $10,000 was seized from the Paulanne Terrace home. A large quantity of suspected cocaine and paraphernalia indicative of illegal drugs was found his girlfriend's North Bergen apartment. In total, approximately 100 grams of suspected cocaine was seized along with a total of $11,307 in cash from both warrant searches.

Laib’s girlfriend, Chelsey Albuja was arrested during the search of her North Bergen residence.

Laib, 34, of Secaucus was charged with two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine [2C:35-5b(2)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine [2C:35-5b(3)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 1,000 feet of a School [2C:35-7], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 500 feet of a Public Park [2C:35-7.1], two counts of Possession of CDS [2C:35-10a(1)], two counts of Money Laundering [2C:21-25A] and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia [2C:36-3].

Albuja, 25, of North Bergen was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine [2C:35-5b(2)], Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine within 500 feet of a Public Park [2C:35-7.1], Possession of CDS [2C:35-10a(1)] and Money Laundering [2C:21- 25A].

Liptai was charged with Possession of CDS [2C:35-10a(1)] and released on a summons, pending an appearance in court.

Laib and Albuja were lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

“The Anti-Crime Unit is committed to investigating nefarious activity that affects the quality of life of the residents Secaucus,” Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. “My detectives have my authorization and support to conduct investigations, regardless of what locale it may take them, to foster a complete and thorough investigation, as is evidenced by this case. The dedication to this endeavor by the members of the Anti-Crime Unit is evident and I am proud of their investigative work. I also want to also thank the North Bergen Police Department for their assistance throughout this investigation.”

Tips can be made by calling (201) 330-2049, emailed to spdtips@secaucusnjpolice.gov or submitted anonymously through the department’s website at www.secaucuspolice.org.