| Ruben Rodriguez | Diane Rodrigues | Danny Rivera |
On July 16, 2023 at 10:20 A.M. the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit was patrolling the area near Extended Stay Hotel, 1 Meadowlands Parkway, where they observed a suspected drug transaction take place. To confirm their suspicions, the Anti-Crime Unit stopped the involved 2009 Infiniti G37. In plain view inside the vehicle Detectives observed a digital scale that is commonly used to weigh narcotics for street sale. Additionally, the driver, identified as Ruben Rodriguez, 36, of Jersey City had over $2,300.00 in his pants pocket. Secaucus Police K-9 “Brix” was summoned to the scene to conduct an open air sniff of the vehicle and he positively indicated to the presence of narcotics within.
During a search of the vehicle, a quantity of suspected heroin was recovered along with a Taurus 9mm handgun, a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 caliber handgun, a handgun magazine loaded .380 caliber bullets and a thirty (30) round high-capacity magazine loaded with eleven (11) 9mm bullets. Ruben Rodriguez was placed under arrest. The passenger in the vehicle, Diane Rodrigues, 31, of Elizabeth was also arrested and she was found in possession of a quantity of cocaine and over $400.00 in cash.
A search of an Extended Stay Hotel room associated with Ruben Rodriguez and Diane Rodrigues was conducted. During the search of the room over thirty-five (35) bags of suspected heroin, an ounce of suspected methamphetamine, suspected cocaine and other evidence indicative of illicit drug distribution were seized. Within the room at the time of the search was Danny Rivera, 43, of Jersey City who was also arrested.
Ruben Rodriguez and Diane Rodrigues were with both charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute [2C:35-5b(3)], Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute [2C:35-5b(9)(a)], three counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)], Possession Drug Paraphernalia [2C:36-2], two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5b(1)], two counts of Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39-4a(1)], two counts of Possession of a Firearm while Committing a CDS Offense [2C:39-4.1(a)], Possession of a High Capacity Magazine [2C:39-3j], Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3(b)], Money Laundering [2C:21-25(a)] and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with the Intent to Distribute [2C:36-3]. Ruben Rodriguez was additionally charged with Certain Persons Not to Possess a Firearm [2C:39-7(a)]. They were both lodged in the Hudson County Jail. Danny Rivera was charged with two counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute [2C:35-5b(3)], Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with the Intent to Distribute [2C:35-5b(9)(a)], three counts of Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-10a(1)] and Possession Drug Paraphernalia [2C:36-2]. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.
“I praise the continuous and tireless hard work of my Anti-Crime Unit,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “This arrest is evidence that the Secaucus Police Department will continue to proactively police our local hotels to curtail nefarious activity. I am proud of the detectives and police officers assigned to the Anti-Crime Unit and I will continue to support them in their endeavors and their ongoing commitment to eradicate Vice activity within Secaucus.”
Tips can be made by calling (201) 330-2049, emailed to spdtips@secaucus.net or submitted anonymously through the department’s website at www.secaucuspolice.org. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.