Long Branch man found with $50,000 worth of cocaine
A Long Branch man accused of dealing cocaine in the area may face nearly two decades in prison following his arrest, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office.
While executing search warrants of two apartments at 494 Broadway and 407 Morris Avenue, Detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Gang and Criminal Enterprise Unit and its Narcotics Strike Force found about $50,000.00 worth of cocaine (500 grams), nearly $32,000.00 in cash, marijuana, a .22 caliber handgun, large amounts of packaging, weighing materials and drug paraphernalia for the sale and dealing of illegal narcotics.
Investigators also seized three vehicles.
Giddel Gonzalez Estrada, 37, was arrested inside a Morris Avenue garage Wednesday after a months long investigation into his alleged dealings.
Estrada was charged with first degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (over 5 ounces), second degree Possession of a Weapon While in the Course of Committing CDS Offense, 42 counts of combined third degree charges including Possession of Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance within 1,000 feet of a School Zone.
If convicted of first degree Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (over 5 ounces), Estrada faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison.
If convicted of any of the second degree charges, he faces a sentence of five to ten years in prison on each count. If convicted of any of the third degree offense, Estrada faces a sentence of three to five years in prison.
Anyone is information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective Fil Lao of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 1-800-533-7443.
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Merlin Thomas.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
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