$1.5 million in narcotics seized following traffic stop

A recent traffic stop in Elizabeth resulted in two arrests and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Monday.

Authorities said Jafet Acevedo, 21, and Arturo Perez, 22, both of Stratford, Connecticut were stopped on the afternoon of Oct. 28 in a 2004 Toyota Sienna in the area of The Mills at Jersey Gardens shopping mall by members of the Prosecutor’s Office’s Guns, Gangs, Drugs, and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department.

Police searched the vehicle and later searched the suspect's home and discovered a total of three kilograms of cocaine, 3.5 kilograms of heroin, 10 pounds of methamphetamine, and $40,000 in cash, according to a press release by the UCPO. According to the prosecutor, the street value of the seized drugs is estimated at nearly $1.5 million.

Both suspects have been charged with first-degree possession of heroin with the intent to distribute. They were also charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, as well as two related third-degree drug offenses.

"State Superior Court Judge William Daniel set bail at $1 million for Acevedo and $500,000 for Perez," Park said.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.