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News
Release Operation
Rebound Acting D.E.A. Special Agent in Charge Alexander J. Gourley announced today the culmination of "Operation Rebound" which began in New Jersey in December 2002. The investigation was a multi-jurisdictional heroin investigation that included additional investigations in New York, Pennsylvania and Colombia, South America. To date, approximately 12 kilograms of heroin have been seized and nine people were previously arrested in the investigation. Today, in New Jersey arrest warrants were executed for Ruben Carmona of 143 Tenafly Rd. Apt. 3 B in Englewood, Julian Duque of 276 Engle Street Apt. 7F in Engelwood, Hever Grisales of 65 Division Street in Englewood, Alba Carmona, 62nd St., Apt 1G, West New York and Diego Palgarin of Colombia, S.A. The Northern New Jersey HIDTA Task Force conducted the investigation. The Task Force in New Jersey is made up of members of the DEA, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE), New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Bayonne Police Department, Union County Prosecutor's Office, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, Essex County Sheriff-Bureau of Narcotics, Passaic County Sheriff's Office, Elizabeth Police Department, Newark Police Department and Union City Police Department. Additionally, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office, United States Secret Service, United States Marshal Service, and the Englewood Police Department assisted the Northern New Jersey HIDTA with the investigation. Today, a total of thirty-seven (37) alleged heroin traffickers were arrested in New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia and Colombia, S.A. Additionally, four and a half kilograms of heroin were seized, approximately $197,000. USC, four guns and numerous vehicles utilized in the trafficking of the heroin around the Eastern Seaboard. Acting SAC Gourley advised the media that "the investigation dismantles a significant heroin trafficking cell operating on the East Coast of the United States and in Colombia and has dealt a significant blow to the wholesale heroin market." New Jersey HIDTA Commander Michael Pasterchick stated "the cooperation here in New Jersey among the drug law enforcement agencies was exemplary. In addition, we also had unprecedented cooperation with our Law Enforcement counterparts in Colombia, S.A." The investigation is being prosecuted in several jurisdictions throughout the United States. The United States Attorney's Office in Newark will prosecute the New Jersey arrests and the extradition of Diego Palgarin-Estrada from Colombia. A provisional arrest warrant has been forwarded to the Colombian Government for Palgarin-Estrada's arrest. For additional information on the investigation, please contact New Jersey HIDTA Commander Michael Pasterchick at 973-273-5253. |
