*THIS STORY CONTAINS NEW INFORMATION The streets are a bit cleaner after the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Internal Affairs Unit charged seven people following a six-month long narcotics investigation. According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, the investigation led to the seizure of more than 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, two handguns, seven vehicles, and over $70,000 in cash.
Suarez reports that during the early morning hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, law enforcement officers from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office executed numerous search warrants at multiple locations in North Hudson…North Bergen, West New York, and Union City. Over the course of the operation, officers arrested seven people – including a dispatcher with the West New York Police Department, a retired Detective from the West New York Police Department, and a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer – and discovered a narcotics production facility. The street value of the recovered narcotics is estimated at more than $150,000.
According to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office, the following individuals were arrested:
• 50-year old Alfredo Diaz of Union City is charged with: Leading a Narcotics Network, a crime of the first degree; Maintaining a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility, a crime of the first degree; two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), crimes of the second degree; Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree; two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, crimes of the second degree; Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree; two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine), crimes of the second degree; three counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a School, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 500 Feet of Public Property, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, crimes of the second degree; two counts of Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine), crimes of the first degree; two counts of Possession of a Weapon while Committing a CDS Offense, crimes of the second degree; Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon (firearm), a crime of the fourth degree; Possession of Hollow Point Bullets, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense; Receiving Stolen Property (firearm), a crime of the third degree; and three counts of Money Laundering, crimes of the third degree.
- 56-year old Ileana Hernandez, a dispatcher with West New York Police Department, is charged with Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree; Pattern of Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree; Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct, a crime of the second degree; and Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree.
- 39-year old Edwin Martinez of North Bergen is charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the first degree; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense; Possession of a Weapon (firearm) While Committing a CDS Offense, a crime of the second degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (firearm), a crime of the second degree; Certain Persons not to Possess a Weapon (firearm), a crime of the fourth degree; two counts of Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), crimes of the second degree; Possession of Hollow Point Bullets, a crime of the fourth degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 500 Feet of Public Property, a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a School, a crime of the third degree; and Receiving Stolen Property (firearm), a crime of the third degree.
- 28-year old Daniel Diaz of West New York is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree; Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 1,000 Feet of a School, a crime of the third degree; and Possession with the Intent to Distribute (cocaine) within 500 Feet of Public Property, a crime of the second degree.
- 60-year old Thomas Mannion, a retired West New York Police Detective and PBA President, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree.
- 33-year old Marquis Santiago, a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
- 55-year old Cristian Cortez of Englewood is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree. With regard to West New York Police Dispatcher Ileana Hernandez, Public Safety Director Henry Codina stated, “The charges are extremely serious and deeply troubling.
Effective immediately, Ms. Hernandez has been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. The West New York Police Department is fully cooperating with the Prosecutor’s Office and will continue to support a thorough and impartial investigation. Let me be clear, we do not and will not condone this type of behavior from any member of our department, sworn or civilian. Such conduct is in direct conflict with the values, integrity, and professionalism expected of those entrusted with public service. We remain firmly committed to maintaining the community’s trust and ensuring accountability at every level within the department. As this is an active investigation, no further comment will be made at this time.” The charges against the accused are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.