Operation Triple Play Leads to the Arrest of Five and take down a Drug Production Facility
By: Moe M.
After a six month investigation and the hard work of law enforcement agents from multiple counties, “Operation Triple Play” was executed and five individuals were arrested and charged on December 1, 2017 for serious narcotics offenses that relate to a heroin, cocaine and marijuana distribution operation that extended through multiple cities. The five individuals are known as Raul Concepcion, Pedro Mangual, Leo Perez, Sharif Irving, and Persio Lora.
This operation was led by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office-Narcotics Task Force, the City of Passaic Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and assisted by neighboring counties and municipalities.
Raul Concepcion, age 29 of Belleville, NJ
• Distribution of CDS, Cocaine more than five ounces – a crime of the First Degree
• Possession of Weapon, Handgun – a crime of the Second Degree
• Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons, Handgun – a crime of the Second Degree
• Distribution of CDS, Heroin more than one-half ounce but less than five ounces – a crime of Second Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Marijuana in excess of twenty five pounds– a crime of the Second Degree
• Distribution of CDS, Marijuana – more than once ounce but less than five pounds a crime of the Third Degree
• Possession of CDS, Heroin – a crime of Third Degree • Possession of CDS, Cocaine – a crime of the Third Degree
• Possession of CDS, Marijuana – a crime of the Fourth Degree
Pedro Mangual, age 36 of Passaic, NJ
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Cocaine more than five ounces – a crime of the Second Degree • Distribution of CDS, Marijuana – more than one ounce but less than five pounds – a crime of the Third Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Marijuana more than one ounce but less than five pounds– a crime of Fourth Degree
• Possession of CDS, Marijuana – a crime of the Fourth Degree
Leo Perez, age 33 of Passaic, NJ
• Distribution of CDS, Marijuana more than five pounds but less than twenty five pounds– a crime of the Second Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Cocaine more than five ounces – a crime of Second Degree
• Possession of CDS Marijuana with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of a School – a crime of Third Degree
• Possession of CDS Cocaine with Intent to Distribute within 1000 feet of a School – a crime of Third Degree
• Possession of CDS, Marijuana – a crime of the Fourth Degree
• Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, Marijuana more than one once but less than five pounds– a crime of Fourth Degree
Sharif Irving, age 35 of Garfield, NJ
• Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Production Facility – a crime of the First Degree
Persio Lora, age 22 of Garfield, NJ
• Possession of Weapon, Handgun – a crime of the Second Degree
“Operation Triple Play” began on or about June, 2017 when the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office received vital information about individuals distributing large amounts of drugs in the City of Passaic and surrounding municipalities (Bergen and Essex). This crucial information led law enforcement to investigate Raul Concepcion and Pedro Mangual.
As a result of the investigation and as of today’s date, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office seized:
– approximately 75 grams of suspected heroin, estimated at a street value of $5,000 dollars,
– over 1 pound of cocaine with a street value of $17,000 dollars,
– over 12 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $50,000 dollars
– and approximately $42,000 cash believed to be drug proceeds – along with 1 handgun and – 2 vehicles.
Depending on the degree of the charges against the individuals, they can carry a sentence up to twenty (20) years in prison. A breakdown is as follows:
First-Degree charges = Maximum sentence of 20 years in prison
Second-Degree charges = Maximum sentence of 10 years in prison
Third-Degree charges = Maximum sentence of 5 years in prison
Fourth-Degree charges = Maximum sentence of 18 months in prison
On December 6, 2017, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office filed a motion to detain all five (5) defendants. Defendants Raul Concepcion and Sharif Irving were detained by the Honorable Judge Joseph Portelli. Defendants Pedro Mangual, Leo Perez, and Persio Lora were released subject to monitoring by Pre-Trial Services.
All persons are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
