Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 39-year-old RAMON MORILLO, of Fort Lee, NJ; 31-year-old BRANDON MORILLO of Lodi, NJ; and 34-year-old JOSEPH DIAZ of Fort Lee, NJ, on charges stemming from a months-long narcotic investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
During July 2024, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force initiated an investigation into narcotics activity in Bergen County, NJ that allegedly involved RAMON MORILLO. During the weeks and months ahead, detectives determined that RAMON MORILLO was conspiring with BRANDON MORILLO and JOSPEH DIAZ in a drug trafficking organization that involved the transportation of narcotics throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and New York.
On Thursday, November 7, 2024, with the assistance of the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Search Warrant Execution Team, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force simultaneously executed court-authorized search warrants at the individual residences of RAMON MORILLO, BANDON MORILLO, and JOSEPH DIAZ. Collectively, detectives located and seized approximately $395,000.00 in US currency; approximately 28,700 suspected counterfeit prescription-pressed pills containing fentanyl; approximately 412 grams of suspected cocaine; approximately 8 pounds of suspected marijuana; approximately 82 grams of suspected methamphetamine pills; and two firearms, one of which was noted as unserialized and untraceable, which is sometimes referred to as a “ghost gun.”
As a result of the investigation, all three men were placed under arrest, facing both conspiracy and individual charges related to the narcotics activity. RAMON MORILLO was charged with second-degree possession with the intent to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(4); third-degree conspiracy to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A1/ 2C:35-5B(4); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25A.
BRANDON MORILLO was charged with second-degree possession with the intent to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(4); second-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25A; second-degree possession of a weapon while in possession of narcotics; N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; third-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(3); third-degree possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(9)b; third-degree conspiracy to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A1/ 2C:35-5B(4); third-degree possession of a unregistered/unserialized firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3M; and third-degree convicted felon in possession of a firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7(B)1.
JOSEPH DIAZ was charged with first-degree possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(B)1; second-degree possession with the intent to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(4); second-degree possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5(B)10; second-degree possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1; third-degree conspiracy to distribute counterfeit prescription pills suspected to contain fentanyl N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A1/ 2C:35-5B(4); and third-degree money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25A.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella thanks the Lodi and Fort Lee Police Departments for their assistance in this investigation, as well as the Garfield Police Department and Elmwood Park Police Department, which both participate in the Bergen County Narcotic Task Force.
