North Bergen Woman Arrested In Ongoing Narcotics Investigation

Acting Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello announced today that on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Internal Affairs Unit arrested a North Bergen woman in connection with an ongoing narcotics investigation. To date, the investigation has resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of over 4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, two handguns, and more than $70,000 in cash.

The latest arrest is 50-year old, Melissa Brown, who is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree and Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree. She was arrested at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Secaucus and transported to Hudson County Correctional Facility pending her first court appearance.

According to a press release from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, “During the early morning hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, law enforcement officers from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office executed search warrants at multiple locations in North Bergen, West New York, and Union City.  During the operation, officers arrested seven individuals – 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 uncovered a narcotics production facility. The street value of the recovered narcotics is over $150,000.

The following individuals initially arrested are:

• Alfredo Diaz, 50, 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.
• Ileana Hernandez, 56, 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.
• Edwin Martinez, 39, 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.
• Daniel Diaz, 28, 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.
• Thomas Mannion, 60, a retired West New York Police Detective, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree.

• Marquis Santiago, 33, Hudson County Correctional Police Officer, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Dangerous Substance (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Cristian Cortez, 55, of Englewood, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute (cocaine), a crime of the second degree.

  As part of the ongoing investigation, the follow individuals were arrested between July 28, 2025 and August 4, 2025:

• Jorge Delgado, 44, a security guard with the Town of West New York, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Johann Messina, 57, a laborer with the Town of West New York, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Carlos Begueria, 49, an employee with the West New York Parking Authority, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Dean Mannion, 61, of North Bergen, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Steven Betancourt, 43, of West New York, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Priscilla Acevedo, 44, of North Bergen, is charged with Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.
• Christopher Orellana, 46, a North Bergen Police Department Detective, is charged with one count of Conspiracy to Possess (cocaine), a crime of the third degree.”

  This is an active and ongoing investigation.  The above charges are merely accusations and all of the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.