6 Guns, 800 Rounds Of Ammo From 15 Gang Members In Passaic Co: AG

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Fifteen Passaic County residents armed themselves with guns and illegal large-capacity magazines to defend their open-air drug markets from rival gangs, according to an indictment obtained Thursday. The investigation yielded six handguns, 800 rounds of ammunition and several drugs, according to the Office of Attorney General.

Fifteen people — 12 from Paterson, two from Clifton and one in Haledon — were charged with first-degree racketeering and second-degree conspiracy to distribute narcotics, including heroin, cocaine and opioid pills, according to authorities.

The charges stem from “Operation Park and Pennington,” an eight-month investigation by state officials and the Paterson Police Department that initially led to the arrests of 15 people in July. During the investigation, authorities said they seized six handguns, including two "community guns" shared by "400 Block" set members. The investigation also yielded nearly 800 rounds of ammunition and six large-capacity magazines, including a 50-round drum-type magazine and three 30-round magazines, officials said.

“Indictments like this are one part of our comprehensive strategy to combat gun violence,” said Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck. “We are committed to keeping New Jerseyans safe by prosecuting criminal organizations who fuel gun violence in Paterson and other communities across the state.”

Eric Polanco ran the drug set, according to the Office of the Attorney General. His closest associate — Joseph Landrau — acted as the set's "street boss," according to authorities. Roberto Santiago supplied cocaine for the set, officials said.

The large territory they controlled extended from Market Street to Park Avenue between Rosa Parks Boulevard and Madison Avenue, the OAG said. Because they controlled the large territory, the 400 Block set was involved in "gang wars" with rivals, authorities said.

Landrau was shot four times June 20 and severely wounded in a shooting believed to involve a rival gang, according to officials. Polanco and Landrau face a second-degree gun conspiracy charge in connection with another community handgun that Landrau carried to protect himself after he was shot on June 20, the OAG said.

Two other defendants — Jussy Geraldino and Kreemlin Alcantara — were fired upon but not hit May 24, authorities said.

Authorities executed seven search warrants July 15. Detectives seized 40 single-dose wax folds of heroin, more than 5 ounces of powder cocaine — most of it packaged in single-dose bags for sale — 40 vials/bags of crack cocaine, 60 oxycodone pills, 22 Percocet pills and 10 Xanax pills, according to the OAG.

The following were indicted:

1. Polanco, 27, of Paterson
2. Landrau, 26, of Paterson
3. Santiago, 60, of Paterson, N.J.
4. Geraldino, 23, of Paterson
5. Alcantara, 22, of Paterson
6. James Artuyo, 40 of Paterson
7. Samuel Miranda, 26, of Paterson
8. Arlington Santos-Medina, 24, of Paterson
9. Adrian Eyzaguirre, 31, of Clifton
10. Gregory Polanco, 28, of Haledon
11. Avi Munoz, 24, of Paterson
12. Elvin Munoz, 25, of Paterson
13. Hipolito Guzman, 25, of Paterson
14. Mike Martinez, 30, of Clifton
15. Robert Santiago, 24, of Paterson

Yahaira Mangual, 43, of Paterson was not charged with racketeering, but faces conspiracy and drug possession charges.

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