NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE SEIZE 3.4 TONS OF MARIJUANA FOLLOWING A TRUCK INSPECTION

     “Ruben V. Rodriguez & Jose Santa Cruz Cheno Will Remain Detained Following Being Charged First, Second, & Fourth Degree Marijuana Offenses.”

Friday, March 22, 2024, 3:00 P.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, NJ.- Two Mexican Nationals who were Driving a Tractor Trail Truck from California to Long Island City, New York were Taken into Custody and Charged following a Freight Inspection by Members of The State Police that Uncovered over $28 Million in Illegal Marijuana.

     According to Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, The New Jersey State Police Safe Freight Unit conducted a Commercial Vehicle Inspection on a Tractor Trailer at The Greenwich Township Weigh Station located on Interstate 78 in Warren County, New Jersey.

     The Shipping Manifest reflected a Shipment of Oranges and no other products. State Troopers conducted a Visual Inspection of The Cargo and found Pallets of Oranges and 12 Additional Pallets of Cardboard Boxes. The Boxes were not labeled and were not consistent with the Packaging Used for The Oranges. 

     State Troopers obtained a Consent to Search from the Driver and the Co-Driver, Ruben V. Rodriguez, 53, of Hermasillo, Mexico, and Jose Santa Cruz Cheno, 59, also from Hermasillo, Mexico. Both men were Properly Documented and Legally in The United States for the purposes of Delivering Oranges. 

     During the Search, State Troopers uncovered approximately 3.2 Tons or 6,224 Pounds of Hydroponic Marijuana, 40 Pounds of Delta 9A Powder, ( A Cannabis Concentrate), and 5017 Individual Packages of Cannabis Products inside The Cargo Hold of The Truck. The Total Amount Seized was 3.4 Tons or 6,485 Pounds with a Street Value of $28,368,000.00. The Investigation further uncovered that The Tractor Trailer was Traveling to Long Island City, New York from Dinuba, California.

     Both men were Taken into Custody and Formally Charged with First Degree Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana; Second Degree Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana; and Fourth Degree Possession of Marijuana. 

     The Two Men were Processed on The Charges and Remanded to The Warren County Correctional Center. On Thursday, March 21, 2024, The Honorable Matthew Curry Judge of Warren County Superior Court ordered both men be Detained pending Trial.

“The Rules Of The Court Requires Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt.”