36 arrested, cash and drugs seized following multiagency probe
PLAINFIELD, N.J. — Operation Snow Bank resulted in 36 arrests involving three suspected rival drug trafficking organizations operating out of the City of Plainfield, including five alleged MS-13 gang members and the seizure of more than 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, more than two ounces of heroin and marijuana, and more than $35,000 cash following a joint investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Jersey State Police Trafficking Central Unit and Plainfield Police Division, and assisted by the Division of Criminal Justice, FBI Newark Office, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), FBI Somerset Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Brunswick Police Department, Perth Amboy Police Department, HSI Virginia Office, Stafford County, V.A. Sheriff’s Office, and the New York City Police Department.
The operation targeted three rival drug trafficking networks headed by Andres Hernandez-Diaz, 46, Julian Mirambeaux-Olivarez, 46, and Manuel Castillo-Concepcion, 37, all of Plainfield, N.J.
Hernandez-Diaz, allegedly coordinated cocaine distribution from the Bronx, N.Y. directly into the City of Plainfield. Members of the trafficking network used an apartment in New York City to prepare and package cocaine specifically for distribution into Plainfield, which at one time resulted in more than 2,000 grams distributed in one month.
Mirambeaux-Olivarez allegedly operated his network within the City of Plainfield using “runners” for distribution. During the investigation, detectives seized more than 900 grams of cocaine from the Mirambeaux-Olivarez network as well as more than 50 grams of raw heroin and fictitious documents such as driver’s licenses and social security cards.
Castillo-Concepcion operated his network day and night out of a residence on Arlington Avenue in Plainfield, which distributed more than 2,200 grams of cocaine within one month.
On Friday, July 21, Monday, July 24, and Thursday, July 27, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Trafficking Unit, Plainfield Police Division, HSI, ERO, FBI, Union County Prosecutor's Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office and the New Brunswick Police Department executed search warrants at various locations in Plainfield. As a result, detectives arrested 36 people and seized drugs and cash.
“This investigation is a culmination of an extensive joint law enforcement effort to dismantle criminal enterprises and violent transnational gangs that threaten the safety and security of the law-abiding public,” said Debra Parker, acting special agent in charge of HSI Newark. “HSI will continue to pursue complex criminal investigations while using our unique statutory authorities to prevent and deter criminal organizations pushing drugs into our communities.”
This case is being prosecuted by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice.
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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