Search in Fort Lee NJ reveals a large amount of Cocaine and Cash

According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Fort Lee Police Department, they have arrested and charged three out of state residents with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, a crime of the first degree and possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school after they were pulled over a vehicle for a routine traffic stop. It appears that Fort Lee Detective, T.J. Cullen and his partner were patrolling the Best Western hotel on Route 4 when they saw a car with tinted windows making a illegal U-turn. A routine motor vehicle stop was conducted and subsequent search revealed a concealed compartment, which contained approximately $9,000 in cash. Based on their findings it appears that the police department brought in the K9 unit and after a positive “hit” for narcotics a search warrant was obtained for the vehicle.

Report indicated that once a search warrant was obtained, the vehicle was searched again and another hidden compartment, this time in the dashboard, was discovered. Inside this hidden compartment was two kilograms of cocaine. This has a street value of approximately $60,000. The three defendants are currently sitting in the Bergen County Jail and they will remain their until someone post their $100,000 bail. The vehicle in question along with the $9,000 in cash has been seized and a forfeiture action will be forthcoming. The forfeiture action is commenced so that the State can formally obtain the rights to the items which they are seeking to have forfeited.

Possession of two kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute is a crime of the first degree. A conviction for a first degree felony carries with it up to twenty years in a New Jersey State Prison. In addition, they could face up to a $200,000 fine. As you can see the penalties for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute are very serious in New Jersey. If you or someone you know has been charge with a drug offense in Bergen County you should seek the advice of a Bergen County drug distribution attorney. The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall has been defending individuals charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and distributing prescription drugs in Bergen County for over fifteen years. We have over 100 years of combined experience on staff, including over twenty-five years of prosecuting experience. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact any one of our Bergen County offices to speak to any one of our Bergen County criminal defense lawyers.