Five alleged gang members arrested in 4-month West New York drug probe

Five people believed to be associated at the “Trinitarios” Dominican street gang have been arrested after a four-month joint investigation into drug-dealing in West New York and the North Hudson area, authorities said.

Wanderson Ceballo-Ramos, 25, and Ingri Cruz-Villatoro, 31, both of Guttenberg; Wellington Cruz, 23, of West New York; Angel Diaz, 25, of Weehawken; and Christian Gomez, 34, of Union City were taken into custody without incident during the execution of a series of court authorized search warrants on Aug. 31, 2023.

Authorities did not provide a reason the arrests were not announced for nearly three months.

The investigation was conducted by the West New York Police Anti-Crime Unit, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Violent Gang Task Force and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gang Task Force, officials said.

Police executing the multiple search and arrest warrants recovered a large quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of $20,000. In addition, a large sum of cash, in denominations consistent with drug distribution, and two loaded handguns, one of which was reported stolen, were also seized.

“I commend the diligent efforts of our Anti-Crime Unit and our law enforcement partners in executing a thorough and effective operation to apprehend those allegedly involved in drug distribution,” Police Director Alejandro De Rojas said. “The collaboration between the West New York Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office highlights our commitment to ensuring the safety of our community.”

Ceballo-Ramos and Cruz-Villatoro were charged multiple drug offenses, including drug distribution, drug distribution within 1,000 feet of a school and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Cruz was charged with drug possession, possession of burglary tools and tampering with public records or Information.

Diaz and Gomez face multiple drug charges, while Gomez is also charged multiple weapons offenses, including possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and certain persons not to have a weapon.

“Street gangs peddling cocaine and other dangerous narcotics operate with a wanton disregard for the communities in which they live,” said HSI Newark acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “We commend the West New York Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for their collaboration on this investigation into one of the networks allegedly responsible for flooding our neighborhoods with drugs and related violence.”