A Rio Grande man was arrested and charged with leading a narcotics trafficking network, county Prosecutor Robert Taylor announced Tuesday, March 3. Four others were also arrested, with one more arrest pending, in what officials say was the culmination of an extensive countywide narcotics investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force.
Javier Nunez, 35, is alleged to be the leader of the drug distribution network responsible for the distribution of over two kilograms of cocaine per month in the Middle and Lower regions of the county. The cocaine had a potential street value of $100,000 per kilogram.
The Wildwood Police Department and the Middle Police Department worked with the Drug Enforcement Administration as part of an undercover investigation. The undercover purchaser was able to buy about .5 kilograms from multiple targets, which led to Nunez’s arrest warrant, as well as the warrants for  Elizabeth Carreras, of Rio Grande; Maria Carmen Nunez, of Wildwood; Rafeal Delgado, of Wildwood; Ricardo Reyes, of Villas; and Gabriel Mercado, of Villas.
During the early morning hours of March 3, members of the Cape May County SWAT Team, the county Prosecutor’s Office, DEA, county Sheriff’s Office Canine Unit and Wildwood, Middle Township and Lower Township police departments executed the arrest warrants and court authorized searches at each suspects’ home. Five of the six suspects have been arrested as of late Wednesday. Mercado was expected to surrender soon after. According to Taylor, as of Wednesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. he had not yet done so.
The search resulted in the seizure of $50,000 cash, a large unspecified quantity of cocaine, manufacturing and packaging equipment including scales, mixers and a hydraulic press and two vehicles belonging to Nunez.
According to the prosecutor’s office, in addition to the first degree charges of leading a drug trafficking network, Nunez was also charged with distribution of drugs, specifically cocaine over five ounces, and conspiracy to distribute drugs, specifically cocaine over five ounces. His bail was set at $500,000 cash.
Carreras, 32, was charged with endangering the welfare of children, drug possession, specifically cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute CDS, or a controlled dangerous substance, how police often refer to illegal drugs. Bail was set at $50,000 cash. Maria Carmen Nunez, 48, was charged with distribution of CDS, specifically cocaine over five ounces and her bail was set at $250,000 cash.
Delgado, also 48, was charged with distribution of CDS, specifically cocaine over five ounces and possession of CDS, specifically cocaine. His bail was set at $200,000 cash. Reyes, 23, was charged with distribution of CDS, specifically cocaine less than .5 ounce, possession of CDS, specifically cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute CDS. His bail was set at $75,000 cash. Mercado, 33, was charged with distribution of CDS, specifically cocaine less than .5 ounce, possession of CDS, specifically cocaine, and conspiracy to distribute CDS; and his bail was set at $75,000 cash.
According to the prosecutor, first-degree crimes can result in sentencing between 10 and 20 years in state prison. Second-degree crimes may be sentenced between five and 10 years, and between three and five years for a third degree crime.
The investigation is continuing into the scope of the network. Additional arrests and the seizure of numerous bank accounts estimated at tens of thousands of dollars and properties are pending.
Although the investigation will continue, Taylor commended what he described as the exceptional work of the Task Force and cooperating agencies. He indicated the Task Force will continue to target high level drug dealers and the seizure of their assets.