Five suspects from some of the most tranquil spots in Ocean and Burlington Counties face trial on first-degree drug distribution charges involving heroin, methamphetamines and cocaine.

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Indictments were revealed today by the office of acting New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman. All five are Mexican nationals and risk deportation after serving sentences if convicted.

Juan Gutierrez-Valencia, 24, of Pemberton Township, is charged with possession of methamphetamines with intent to distribute, conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and two weapons counts. Pending charges include aggravated assault on police, eluding and resisting arrest.

Charged with heroin distribution and conspiracy to distribute heroin and methamphetamines are Guadalupe Madrigal-Mejia, 35, aka Lupe, Juan Mendez, 47, and Antonio Esqueda, 33, all of New Egypt; and Elias Corona-Sanchez, 30, aka Peligro, of North Hanover.

Each first-degree count has a possible state prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. The heroin charge adds a possible fine of up to $500,000. The methamphetamine charge is accompanied by a possible fine up to $300,000.

The investigation dubbed "Operation Speed Racer" involved the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey State Police, the state Division of Criminal Justice, Ewing Township police, and members of the Prosecutor's offices in Cape May and Gloucester Counties, authorities said.

Gutierrez-Valencia is accused of unwittingly dealing with an undercover detective at a Mount Laurel hotel on July 7, 2014. Investigators said that the detective climbed into Gutierrez-Valencia's car, looked at two kilograms worth of contraband in a black gym bag, and emerged to signal state police to move in and arrest the suspect.

Gutierrez-Valencia allegedly drove his car at troopers in an attempt to escape, and sustained an arm wound from the gun of one of them, authorities said. Police seized the drugs and a stolen nine-millimeter handgun, authorities said.

"The stolen handgun recovered and the aggravated assault against troopers proved that Gutierrez-Valencia would stop at nothing to continue moving large quantities of meth," said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes in a prepared release. "This cooperative effort by the State Police and the U.S. DEA has shut down a significant distribution route."

The remaining four were rounded up on July 8 at the New Egypt house occupied by Madrigal-Mejia, Mendez and Esqueda. The undercover detective had arranged to buy two kilograms of black tar heroin from Corona-Sanches and Madrigal-Mejia for $65,000, authorities said.

A warrant search yielded cocaine in the bedroom wher Esqueda was arrested, and more in the kitchen and hall closets, along with a digital scale, heat sealer and packing materials, authorities said.

The methamphetamine charges against Madrigal-Mejia and Corona-Sanchez stem from an undercover buy of a half-kilogram of crystal meth near a convenience store on Route 130 in Florence on May 2, for $15,000, authorities said.

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