SECAUCUS, NJ — Two people were arrested following a seven-month drug investigation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 100 grams of suspected cocaine and more than $11,000 in cash, police said.
Mohamed Laib, 34, of Secaucus, and Chelsey Albuja, 25, of North Bergen, were arrested Jan. 23 and charged with multiple drug offenses.
The Secaucus Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit began investigating Laib in June after receiving information he was distributing cocaine from his Paulanne Terrace residence.
Detectives surveilled Laib and observed him engaging in illegal drug distribution, according to police.
The investigation revealed Laib was using his residence to store cash proceeds from drug sales and his girlfriend’s residence on the 1400 block of Paterson Plank Road in North Bergen to store cocaine, police said.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Jan. 23, detectives observed Laib engage in a drug transaction on Fairview Avenue with Steven Liptai, according to police.
Detectives stopped both men, and each was found in possession of cocaine and placed under arrest, police said.
Members of the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit, Detective and Patrol Divisions, Secaucus K-9 Unit and North Bergen Police Department then conducted court-authorized searches of the Paulanne Terrace and Paterson Plank Road residences.
Approximately $10,000 was seized from the Paulanne Terrace residence, police said.
A large quantity of suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia and additional cash were recovered from the Paterson Plank Road residence, according to police.
Albuja was arrested following the search of her North Bergen residence.
Laib was charged with two counts of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine within 500 feet of a public park, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, two counts of money laundering and possession with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia.
Albuja was charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine within 500 feet of a public park, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and money laundering.
Both were lodged in the Hudson County Jail.
Liptai, 51, of Secaucus, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and released on a summons.
