The investigation of an international narcotics distribution and money-laundering network based in Manalapan has resulted in multiple arrests, including residents of Middlesex County.
KATHY BARATTA Federal authorities are alleging that this home at the corner of Taylors Mills and Tennent roads in Manalapan was the base of operations for an international cocaine ring that was smashed with a series of arrests on May 29. The joint county and federal investigation, dubbed Operation Unbounded, revealed that the alleged drug ring was generating $1 million per week, authorities said.
Flanked by local and federal law enforcement officials at a June 2 press conference in Freehold Borough, Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis Valentin said the joint effort, which began in spring 2007, netted the arrest of seven suspects so far. The investigation is continuing.
Among those charged were two local residents, Alfurquan Barringer, 34, of South River, and Cesar Robert Cabrera- Cepeda, 39, of Old Bridge. They were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
But much of the focus is on two of the other suspects, Chantal Esteves, 30, who is currently in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, with bail set at $5 million, and her husband, Vicente Esteves, 35, who is jailed on $10 million bail. The couple live in a home at 162 Taylors Mills Road that Valentin described as being “something like out of ‘Scarface,’” the film in which Al Pacino played a drug lord.
The Esteveses’ large home is at the corner of Taylors Mills and Tennent roads. The property is surrounded by trees that help shield the home from view.
Chantal and Vicente Esteves were charged with operating a major cocainedistribution network and money-laundering operation that spanned several countries.
Valentin said Vicente Esteves was the recognized head of the organization and said Chantal Esteves ran the organization when her husband was out of the country.
If convicted, those arrested face 10 years in prison for conspiracy and 10 years for money laundering, according to officials.
According to Valentin, the couple had set up a “business front” to launder the money generated by the sale of the drugs. He would not elaborate on the operations of what he referred to as the “shell business” except to characterize it as a “company used to transfer real property.”
According to Gerald McAleer, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge of the investigation who was present at the press conference, “This was a major ring. Dismantlement of such an organization is a DEA goal so no one else can step right in.
“We used every tool in our tool box,” he said, noting that drugs associated with the ring were seized throughout the state.
Officials estimated that the drug ring was bringing in profits that amounted to $1 million per week.
Valentin said when the Esteves home was raided by law enforcement officers on May 29, an unspecified amount of cash was seized, along with about $1 million worth of jewelry. The confiscated jewelry included 100 Rolex watches.
“I’m not sure that Donald Trump has 100 Rolex watches,” the prosecutor said.
Valentin said Chantal Esteves had a walk-in closet so full of designer shoes that boxes were marked with photographs to show each pair.
According to Valentin, in the course of the arrests of all the individuals, more than 150 pounds of cocaine was seized, along with $2 million in United States currency. The prosecutor would not specify the amount of cash that was seized at the Esteves home.
Valentin said that at the peak of the organization’s operation, the ring was distributing more than 1,000 kilograms (2,000 pounds) of cocaine per month.
Valentin said the estimated street value of the cocaine seized by law enforcement authorities exceeds $2 million. He said major airports were used to bring the drugs in from countries such as Mexico and Colombia.
When asked if airline employees were involved in the activities, Valentin said he would not comment.
He also would not comment on the whereabouts of the Esteveses’ two minor children, except to say that as far as he knew, they are with relatives.
A seizure order has been filed on the Esteves residence and an individual from the prosecutor’s office was seen affixing a notice to the front door of the Taylor Mills Road residence in the hour preceding the June 2 press conference.
The three others charged in connection with the drug ring are Mark Edwards, 39, of Metuchen; Hector Rodriguez, 40, of Perth Amboy; and Michael Lopez, 35, of Perth Amboy. They were charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance. Edwards, both Esteveses, Lopez and Rodriguez were also charged with first-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity, which Valentin explained is commonly referred to as money laundering.