Cocaine Worth $10K Found in Belleville Pair's Car, Prosecutor Says

Two Belleville men were caught with 100 grams of cocaine in South Jersey on Monday, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Detectives from the Special Operations Group stopped the white Infiniti driven by Mario Yarleque, 33, and also containing Carlos R. Monterroso, 29, near 525 Route 9 in Waretown.

After searching the car, officers found approximately 100 grams of cocaine with an approximate street value of $10,000, the prosecutor's office said. Marijuana packaged in small bags consistent with the distributing marijuana was also found, the prosecutor's office said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Tuesday the arrest as the culmination of a countywide drug investigation.

According to the prosecutor’s announcement, detectives from the prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit, the Ocean Township Police Department and the Stafford Township Police Department conducted a cooperative one-month investigation that led to the arrest of the two Belleville men.

Monterroso was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana over 50 grams and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Superior Court Judge James Blaney JSC set bail on Monterroso at $150,000 without a 10 percent option.

Yarleque was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one half ounce with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana over 50 grams and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Superior Court Judge James Blaney JSC set bail on Yarleque at $50,000 no without a 10 percent option.