Joint Federal, County, & Local Investigation Uncovers Cocaine & Ketamine Shipments

Thursday, February 19, 2026, 7:30 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

DUMONT, NJ.- A Bergen County man has been charged with multiple narcotics and financial crimes following a coordinated investigation involving federal, county, and local law enforcement agencies, authorities announced.

     Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed the arrest of Rocky L. Labarbera, 45, of Dumont, New Jersey, on charges including possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances and money laundering. The investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, in collaboration with the United States Postal Inspection Service, led by Philadelphia Division Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen.

     According to prosecutors, the investigation originated during an ongoing narcotics probe when postal inspectors intercepted several suspicious packages shipped from California and addressed to a private residence in Dumont. Law enforcement officials reported that the parcels contained approximately two ounces of suspected cocaine and one ounce of suspected ketamine, both classified as controlled dangerous substances under New Jersey law.

     Following the interception, a joint investigation was initiated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Dumont Police Department to determine the recipient and scope of the suspected drug operation.

     On Thursday, February 12, 2026, detectives from the participating agencies executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Dumont residence. During the execution of the warrant, investigators identified Labarbera as the resident of the home and recovered suspected cocaine, suspected ketamine, and U.S. currency, authorities said.

     As a result of the investigation, Labarbera was placed under arrest and charged with:

• Second-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
• Third-degree Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
• Third-degree Money Laundering.

     Following his arrest, Labarbera was remanded to the Bergen County Jail and subsequently made his first appearance in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, New Jersey. Court records indicate he was ordered released pending further court action in accordance with New Jersey’s bail reform and pretrial release guidelines.

     Prosecutor Musella credited the cooperation between federal, county, and local agencies for the successful interception of the narcotics shipment and the resulting charges. Authorities stated that the investigation remains active and additional charges are possible pending further review of evidence.

     As with all criminal proceedings, the charges filed against Labarbera are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on official statements and charging documents released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and participating law enforcement agencies. All allegations described herein remain pending before the court. Englebrook Independent News does not speculate on guilt or innocence and will continue to provide updates as verified information becomes available through court proceedings or official announcements.