State Police Charge Four in Perth Amboy Drug Ring

The following information was provided by the New Jersey State Police.

On Thursday, N.J. State Police arrested six people in the takedown of a drug distribution ring that operated in and around a Perth Amboy barber shop. The arrests were the result of a seven month investigation by the Violent & Organized Crime Control North Bureau focused on the alleged drug dealing activities of Manuel Roman. Roman, 31, of Giera Court in Parlin, was arrested Thursday morning at his residence while his associates were arrested in other locations.

Roman is alleged to have sold significant quantities of cocaine, heroin, and various prescription drugs in and around his regular hang out, Final Touch Cuts barber shop in Perth Amboy. Roman does not work at the shop, nor was the shop owner alleged to have any connection to the crimes.

Search and arrest warrants were executed at Roman’s residence and at the barber shop. In total, more than 600 grams of cocaine, 870 decks of heroin, 98 Oxycodone pills, 87 Xanax pills, eight Suboxone pills, a bullet proof vest, 50 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition, and more than $5000 in cash was seized. Most of the evidence was taken from Roman’s house.

The following were arrested and lodged in the Middlesex County Jail in default of bail:

Manuel Roman, 31, of Parlin
Possession of CDS Cocaine, Possession of CDS Heroin, Possession of Prescription Legend Drugs with the Intent to Distribute, Distribution of CDS within 1000 feet of a school, Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of a Public Park
$300,000 no 10 percent

Antonio Rodriguez, 34, of Carteret
Possession of CDS Cocaine, Distribution of CDS Cocaine, and Conspiracy to Distribute CDS Cocaine.
Rodriguez works as a bail bondsman
$150,000 no 10 percent

Giovanni Serrano, 30, of Avenel
Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of CDS Cocaine, Tampering with Evidence, Possession of Under 50 grams of Marijuana
$150,000 no 10 percent

Natalia Lopez, 33, of Perth Amboy
Conspiracy to Distribute CDS cocaine
$25,000 no 10 percent

Carlos Lopez, 30, of Perth Amboy
Contempt of Court
No bail

Lavonia Underwood, 27, of Elizabeth
Contempt of Court
No bail

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Perth Amboy Police Department, and Sayreville Boro Police Department assisted with the investigation.