December 6, 2001

16 INDICTED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING RING

Trenton, NJ — A Mercer County grand jury indicted 16 individuals yesterday in a 33 count indictment stemming from an eight month investigation by the Mercer County Narcotics Task Force into one of the area’s largest cocaine trafficking rings. 

Ring leader Senen Medina, 63, of the 200 block of Cass Street, was indicted on one count of first-degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) production facility; one count of first-degree possession of CDS with the intent to distribute; two counts of second-degree conspiracy; one count of possession of CDS; and one count of second-degree certain persons not to have weapons.  If convicted, he could face life imprisonment, with a 25-year period of parole ineligibility. 

The lengthy undercover investigation, dubbed “OPERATION COMMUNITY FIRST,” was led by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and directed by Lieutenant Al Paglione.  It commenced in June 2000 and was a direct result of an earlier investigation conducted in late October 1999 in conjunction with complaints from residents about drug dealing.  At that time, SIU was targeting high narcotics areas in North Trenton, and a number of undercover buy-bust operations were carried out.

The following 15 individuals were indicted on similar charges:

NAME                             DOB                            ADDRESS

Cheverez, Heriberto           10/30/74                        317 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton

Colon, Jose                        10/23/54                        35 Garfield Avenue, Trenton

(AKA Tony Colon)

Duran, Luis Domingo         10/25/70                        843 Centre Street, Trenton

(AKA Marino)

Lopez, Hiram                     3/24/61                         317 Cleveland Avenue, Trenton

Madera, Whisis                  8/10/79                         843 Centre Street, Trenton

Medina, Angel                   12/24/57                        579 Centre Street, Trenton

Medina, Jose                      11/22/49                        579 Centre Street, Trenton

(AKA Josian)

Morales, Miguel                 6/11/60                         3000 Ford Road, Bristol, Pa.

Mottola, Karagena             2/13/68                         1518 Greenwood Avenue, Trenton

Rivera, Angel                     12/4/54                         1770 Greenwood Avenue, Hamilton

Rivera, Francisco               1/23/60                         132 Williams Street, Trenton

Rolon, Rafael                     4/27/58                         330 Harrison Street, Bristol, Pa.

Rosario, Victor                   5/9/49                           218 Lamberton Street, Trenton

Torres, Oscar                    4/4/60                           6308 Point Pleasant Pike, Gardenville, Pa.

Valentin, Michael               7/9/59                           1402 Greenwood Avenue, Trenton

Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.