Six More Arrested in Expansive Hudson County Narcotics and Corruption Investigation

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — July 30, 2025

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has announced the arrest of six additional individuals in connection with a sweeping, six-month narcotics investigation that has rocked multiple municipalities in North Jersey. These new arrests bring the total number of individuals charged in the case to thirteen, including multiple public employees and law enforcement officers.

According to Prosecutor Esther Suarez, the investigation, led by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force and Internal Affairs Unit, has resulted in the seizure of more than four kilograms of suspected cocaine, two handguns, seven vehicles, and over $70,000 in cash. The total street value of the narcotics recovered exceeds $150,000.

Latest Arrests Include Municipal Employees

Between July 28 and July 29, six additional suspects were arrested and charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine. Several of the arrestees are employees of the Town of West New York, further deepening concerns about public corruption within the municipality.

Jorge Delgado, 44, a security guard with the Town of West New York Johann Messina, 57, a laborer with the Town of West New York Carlos Begueria, 49, an employee of the West New York Parking Authority Dean Mannion, 61, of North Bergen Steven Betancourt, 43, of West New York Priscilla Acevedo, 44, of North Bergen

All are charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine, a third-degree crime.

Initial Raids Revealed Drug Lab, Firearms, and Official Misconduct

On July 17, law enforcement conducted coordinated search warrant raids across West New York, North Bergen, and Union City. These operations uncovered a fully operational narcotics production facility and led to the arrest of seven individuals, including former and current law enforcement and municipal personnel.

Among the most serious charges:

Alfredo Diaz, 50, of Union City, is accused of leading the narcotics operation. He faces over two dozen charges, including first-degree leadership of a narcotics trafficking network, maintaining a CDS production facility, multiple counts of conspiracy, distribution within school zones and public property, weapons offenses, child endangerment, and money laundering. Ileana Hernandez, 56, a dispatcher with the West New York Police Department, is charged with official misconduct, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and participating in a pattern of misconduct—a serious blow to the public trust in local law enforcement. Edwin Martinez, 39, of North Bergen, faces numerous charges including first-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, multiple firearms violations, receiving stolen property, and distribution near public spaces and schools. Daniel Diaz, 28, of West New York, faces second- and third-degree drug distribution charges, including offenses near school zones and public property. Thomas Mannion, 60, a retired West New York Police Detective, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Marquis Santiago, 33, a Hudson County Correctional Police Officer, is charged with conspiracy to possess cocaine. Cristian Cortez, 55, of Englewood, is also charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Public Sector Ties Raise Alarms

The arrests of municipal workers, a police dispatcher, a retired detective, and a correctional officer highlight a disturbing pattern of official misconduct tied to the drug trade in Hudson County. Officials involved in the investigation describe the network as sophisticated and deeply embedded in public agencies.

Prosecutor Suarez emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. “The extent to which public servants were allegedly involved in this narcotics operation is deeply troubling,” she said. “We will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads.”

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

This story will be updated as new details emerge from the ongoing investigation.