Randy Lantigua
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 25-year-old RANDY LANTIGUA of Lodi, NJ on charges of possession with the intent to distribute narcotics and drug distribution. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and Lodi Police Department under the direction of Police Chief Donald Scorzetti.
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, at approximately 4:14 p.m., the Lodi Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an adult male who was unresponsive in the bedroom of a private residence. The victim, identified as 62-year-old James White of Lodi, NJ, was located by first responders and pronounced deceased at the scene. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, and detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force were notified. It was subsequently determined that the victim ingested a fentanyl-laced substance.
A month-long investigation was initiated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Lodi Police Department into the death of James White and the related drug activity. The investigation revealed that RANDY LANTIGUA of Lodi, NJ distributed narcotics to the victim, which included a fentanyl-laced substance. On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, a search warrant was executed at the residence of RANDY LANTIGUA in Lodi, NJ by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force and the Lodi Police Department, with assistance from the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team. During the course of the search warrant, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office detectives recovered various narcotics evidence, including suspected fentanyl and cocaine.
As a result of the investigation, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, RANDY LANTIGUA was arrested in Lodi, NJ and charged with second-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2); second-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 500 feet of a park, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7.1a; third-degree possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5); third-degree distribution of fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(5); and third-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance within 1000 feet of a school zone, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7a. LANTIGUA was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ. The investigation into the fatal dose of narcotics ingested by the victim remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Lodi Police Department for its assistance in this investigation, as well as the Garfield Police Department, which participates in the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force.