Drug raids uncover steroids

A Finnegans Lane man was one of 16 people charged.

By: Joseph Harvie
   A 35-year-old Finnegans Lane man was one of 16 people charged in connection with an illegal steroid ring after a series of raids conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office throughout Morris and Middlesex counties.
   According to a press release issued by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Jason Arntz, a professional bodybuilder, was charged at his home Friday with conspiracy to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance. He was charged after police executed a search warrant and found more than $10,000 in anabolic steroids and $7,600 that the prosecutors suspected to be proceeds from drug sales, according to the release.
   He was charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance and was released after posting $50,000 bail, according to the release.
   According to Mr. Arntz’s Web site, he is a member of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness and a licensed mortgage broker.
   According to the prosecutor’s release, the raids were the culmination of a two-month undercover investigation dubbed Operation Drop Off.
   "The primary goal of the operation was to shut down an anabolic steroids, gamma hydroxybuterate (GHB) and prescription drug manufacturing operation which was based and operating within Morris County," Morris County Prosecutor Michael Rubbinaccio said in the release.
   Assisting the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was the Morris County Sheriff’s Office; Hanover Township, East Hanover Township, Florham Park, Pequannock and Morristown police departments; the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office; New Jersey State Police; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and the U.S. Postal Service.
   The investigation identified two East Hanover residents who were distributing anabolic steroids, GHB, cocaine as well as other pharmaceutical drugs, including Cialis and Viagra, according to the release.
   Both were charged on Friday afternoon in their homes as law enforcement officials executed search warrants, according to the release.
   Anthony Cuppari, 24, of East Hanover, was charged with 15 drug charges, including possession, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute steroids and cocaine, and conspiracy to manufacture anabolic steroids and GHB, and distributing GHB to a minor, according to the release.
   Michael Dente, 24, of East Hanover, was charged with eight drug charges, including conspiracy to possess, distribute and manufacture steroids and GHB, according to the release. According to the release, law enforcement officials found a manufacturing facility in the basement of his East Hanover home. Police found over $50,000 worth of steroids, GHB, Cialis and Viagra in Mr. Dente’s home, and also found $800, which they believe was earned through selling the drugs.
   A special Clandestine Lab Team from the USDEA entered Mr. Cuppari’s and Mr. Dente’s homes before law enforcement officials to ensure that they were safe from potential chemical hazards, according to the release.
   Drugs, weapons, paraphernalia and vehicles valued in excess of $300,000 were seized along with $20,393.00 cash as part of Operation Drop Off, according to the release.
   In addition John Monticello, 21 of East Hanover, was charged with 13 counts, including possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute steroids, possession of a handgun without a permit, and possession of a stun gun, according to the release.
   According to the release, law enforcement officials found a loaded .380- caliber semi-automatic handgun and a stun gun in Mr. Monticello’s house.
   Eleven other men and one juvenile were charged in Operation Drop Off, according to the release.