JANUARY 6, 2004

PROSECUTOR’S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT SEIZES
$17,000 IN ECSTASY 

Trenton, NJ — Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. today announced that his office’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) concluded a one and a half month narcotics investigation with the arrest of one individual and the seizure of 880 ecstasy pills.

David Rodriguez AKA Hector (DOB 8/23/83), of the 1000 block of South Broad Street, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with the intent to distribute possession with the intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school. 

Bocchini stated that Rodriguez was in possession of a first-degree amount of ecstasy and could face up to 20 years in prison.

            According to Lt. William Straniero, the SIU began an investigation into Rodriguez and his “pizza delivery style” drug distribution about a month and a half ago.  During the course of the investigation, it was learned that Rodriguez would take an order for ecstasy, drive into Harlem to buy the quantity of drugs needed, and then return to the area to make the delivery.

At approximately 8:30 last night, the SIU, under Straniero’s command and assisted by the New Jersey State Police, the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and the Trenton Police Department Vice Enforcement Unit, set up surveillance and observed Rodriguez arrive at a convenience store on South Broad Street with two other individuals.  He was observed getting out of his vehicle, removing the ecstasy from the trunk and getting into another vehicle.  Officers interrupted a subsequent drug transaction with a fourth individual and Rodriguez was placed under arrest.  Officers seized 880 ecstasy pills with a street value of approximately $17,600.   

“Although we are not seeing an influx of ecstasy locally, it is not unknown in the area,” Bocchini stated.  “There is a lot of money to be made with ecstasy, and drug dealers are aware of this.  It is no longer just a suburban club or designer drug.  We are seeing it reach across economic boundaries.”

Superior Court Judge Maria K. Sypek set bail in the amount of $200,000.  Rodriguez is being held at the Mercer County Correction Center.

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