NORTH WILDWOOD — County Prosecutor Robert Taylor announced the arrest of alleged North Wildwood drug dealer Adrian “Monster” Santiago culminating a four-month long narcotics investigation, involving the prosecutor’s Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Task Force, and the North Wildwood and Wildwood police departments.
On Dec. 17, the county regional SWAT team and the agencies listed above executed a court authorized search warrant at the 2nd Floor rear apartment at 121 W. 25th Ave., North Wildwood and on Santiago.
As a result of the warrants, police seized 89 bags of heroin with a street value of $1,780; 56 bags of crack cocaine worth $1,120; a small amount of marijuana and over $1,400 cash.
Santiago, 24, wast charged with the third-degree crimes of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and heroin, third-degree possession within 1,000 feet of a school zone, and possession of marijuana, a disorderly persons offence. He was lodged in county jail in lieu of $35,000 cash bail set by Municipal Court Judge David DeWeese.
According to the prosecutor, persons convicted of a third-degree crime could be sentenced between three and five years in state prison.
Taylor commended the exceptional work of the task force and cooperating agencies. He indicated that the task force would continue to target high-level drug dealers and the seizure of their assets.
