Nine people were arrested on charges ranging from prostitution to weapons possession and more than $40,000 in cash and drugs were seized in a six-month investigation of a Secaucus go-go bar.
Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said the probe was initiated by the dramatic rise in calls for service at AJ’s Go-Go Bar over the past two years. During that period, aggravated and simple assaults, firearms and other weapons-related incidents and a drug overdose were reported at the Secaucus Road business.
Town police were also receiving reports that AJ’s employees were promoting prostitution and selling drugs to patrons, Miller said.
During the course of the investigation by the police department’s Anti-Crime Unit, detectives purchased various quantities of cocaine from different employees of the establishment. Detectives were also offered sex for cash by numerous employees there.
The probe culminated on Dec. 14 with a search of the premises and the arrests of:
Caroleen Garcia-Garcia, 41, of Bronx, New York, who was charged with three counts of engaging in prostitution, three counts of promoting prostitution and drug possession;
Maylin Hechavarria, 30, of Newark, who was charged with engaging in prostitution and promoting prostitution;
Leidy Munoz-Gomez, 40, of North Bergen, who was charged with engaging in prostitution and promoting prostitution, four counts of cocaine distribution, four counts of drug possession and four counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine;
Jason Koch, 52, of Hawthorne, who was charged with two counts of promoting prostitution and maintaining a nuisance, six counts of drug possession, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute Oxycontin, Suboxone and amphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute Alprazolam and money laundering.
Carlos Bustamante, who was charged with four counts of cocaine distribution, four counts of drug possession and four counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine;
Elizabeth Nauer, 33, of Bayonne, who was charged with drug possession;
Rosanni Reyes, 45, of Belleville, who was charged with prostitution and promoting prostitution;
Jeana Branda, 32, of Secaucus, who was charged with unlawful possession of knife;
Frank Lovato, 54, of Wyckoff, who was charged with drug possession.
“Increasingly in the past two years, crimes have routinely been committed within AJ’s at an alarming rate,” Miller said. “I commend the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit under the supervision of Detective Sgt. Giacomo Sallustio for the outcome of this investigation.”
During the search, more than two ounces of suspected cocaine, more than 400 Oxycontin pills, suspected ecstasy, 40 Suboxone strips, more than 25 Alprazolam pills and more than 80 amphetamine pills were seized, Miller said. Additionally, more than $40,000 in cash was seized as monies believed to have been derived from nefarious activity.
Miller credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, Union City Police Department, North Bergen Police Department, State ABC and Taxation for their assistance in the investigation.
“This is a perfect example of how local, county and state law enforcement agencies can come together in partnership and work to make our communities safe,” said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez. “I commend the Secaucus Police Department for always ensuring the safety of its citizenry.”
