December 12, 2001
Trenton,
NJ — Mercer County Prosecutor Daniel G. Giaquinto announced that a search
warrant was executed yesterday by the prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit
(SIU) at Aviles Junkyard, located in the first block of Siegel Avenue in
Trenton, and a quantity of heroin, guns and stolen cars were found.
Junkyard
owner Julio Aviles (DOB 12/16/68), of the 200 block of Locust Street in Trenton,
was arrested and charged with maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous
substance (CDS) production facility; possession of CDS; possession with the
intent to distribute; possession with the intent to distribute within 500 feet
of a park; manufacturing CDS; possession of a weapon while in the course of
committing a CDS offense; receiving stolen property; and possession with the
intent to distribute simulated government documents.
If convicted, Aviles could face more than 30 years in prison.
A
three-week heroin investigation by the prosecutor’s SIU, led by Lt. Al
Paglione, culminated yesterday morning at approximately 10:15 a.m. when
detectives executed a search warrant at the junkyard.
Six individuals, including Alives, were found on the premises, some
living in vans.
A
half-ounce of pure heroin was seized (street value of approximately $1800),
along with four weapons, including two semi-automatic 9MMs, a .38 caliber
handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Also
seized were packaging materials, a heat sealer, sifters, blenders, a cutting
agent, rubber stamps and $1000 in cash.
Lt.
Paglione stated that his unit has been coming across more and more bulk heroin
in recent investigations because dealers are finding it more profitable to
package their own heroin.
Approximately
50 cars were found on the lot and computer checks revealed that six were stolen
from Trenton, Lawrence, Hamilton, Burlington and Pennsylvania.
The stolen cars were impounded and additional car parts were turned over
to the Trenton Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit for further investigation.
Detectives
also confiscated a color printer, a laminator, order forms and a receipt book
for fictitious social security cards and New Jersey driver’s licenses that
Aviles was allegedly manufacturing.
According
to Aviles’ business card, the junkyard specializes in car detailing, repairs,
junk parts, car sales, towing and much more.
“The
investigation revealed that the junkyard was a one-stop shop,” Prosecutor
Giaquinto said. “And the seizure
once again demonstrates that illegal guns are an integral part of the drug
culture.”
Carlos
Nazario (DOB 12/12/50), of the Siegel Avenue address, was also arrested and
charged with possession of CDS. He
was released on his own recognizance. Augustine
Rivera (DOB 12/15/68) and Luis Santiago (DOB 9/4/56), both of the Siegel Avenue
address, were lodged in Trenton on outstanding warrants.
Aviles
is being held in the Mercer County Corrections Center in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Despite
having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.