the staff of the Ridgewood blog
East Rutherford NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of JOSE DELEON-MERCEDES (DOB: 11/15/1992; single; taxi driver) of 2301 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY on a drug offense. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love.
On September 27, 2022, an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force revealed that JOSE DELEON-MERCEDES was transporting kilogram quantities of cocaine through Bergen County. During this investigation, a search was conducted on his vehicle in East Rutherford, NJ, which revealed approximately 4 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a sophisticated, electronically operated hidden compartment. DELEON-MERCEDES was arrested at the scene of the search.
JOSE DELEON-MERCEDES was charged with first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(1). He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
