More Than A Kilogram Of Heroin Seized In Union County, Largest Drug Bust Since Nov. 2014

Two men were arrested and charged for possessing large quantities of heroin and marijuana with the intent to distribute in Elizabeth on Wednesday.

Alexander Gomez, 26, of Elizabeth, and Lonnie Rios, 36, of Newark, have been charged with first-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, three second-degree drug offenses, three third-degree drug offenses, and a fourth-degree charge.

“A Union County Prosecutor’s Office Guns, Gangs, Drugs, and Violent Crimes Task Force investigation first led to Gomez being pulled over in Elizabeth at approximately 6:15 p.m. Wednesday evening,” according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Following a search of his vehicle, approximately one kilogram of heroin and two pounds of marijuana were seized, and Gomez was placed under arrest.”

Rios was stopped in his vehicle later that evening and after obtaining a search warrant police searched his home, finding approximately 300 grams of heroin, four pounds of marijuana, and more than $11,600 in cash.

This marks the largest drug bust in Union County since the November 2014 arrests of eight people who were operating heroin mills in Linden and Union Townships.