$5.4M in narcotics found in tractor-trailer; driver arrested, NJ police say

GREENWICH TOWNSHIP — Following a routine safety inspection of a commercial vehicle, State Police seized $5.4 million worth of narcotics and arrested a 39-year-old California man for possession of controlled dangerous substances.

Tractor-trailer driver Henry Cruz-Ventura, 39, of Los Angles, was stopped Wednesday at 4:24 p.m. on I-78 eastbound in Warren County by Trooper James Agens for a commercial motor vehicle safety inspection.

As the trooper was inspecting the contents of the freight, he discovered that there were boxes co-mingled in the load that "were not consistent with the legitimate cargo," state police said in a statement Thursday. Police said there were also "several other indicators consistent with criminal activity."

Troopers then searched the truck and discovered 64 kilograms of heroin and 10 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs have an estimate street value of $5.47 million, according to State Police.

As a result of the investigation, Cruz-Ventura was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute. He was transported to Warren County Jail in lieu of $250,000 full cash bail.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.