Press Conference: Michael M. Rubinaccio- Hunterdon County Prosecutor
- massive drug bust that occurred yesterday
- 100+ arrests
- Broke up $1 Million/year distribution network
- 400 officers from 31 agencies swept across five NJ counties: Hunterdon, Essex,
Warren, Somerset, Middlesex
- Seized cash, cocaine, cars, and guns
- Street value: $13 Million
- 65 cars from Mid-range dealers
- Operation Bulldog: to catch as many dealers as possible
- Able to get cash and drugs: bonus
- King Pin: cook at Marsilio’s restaurant in Raritan
- Cook: Alejandro Anda-Rodriguiez, 35, of Flemington ran business from back
door of kitchen
- In Kitchen, found cocaine, guns, and distribution packaging hidden in pots and
pans
- Owner: Guy Castaldo also arrested
- Operation went smoothly except one man who brandished a mashedi-like weapon
- 110 people arrested, charged with various possession, conspiracy, and distribution
charges
- Tom Reno- Hunterdon Deputy Chief said, primary purpose was to make arrests
- Drugs seized incidental to arrests
- Investigation started: 392 officers gathered at Flemington-Raritan Police
Headquarters at 3 AM for briefing
- Officers divided into 145 teams and handed 150 arrest warrants
- Did not find everyone
- Guy and Theodore Castalado from Deal, NJ
- Theo. Not involved and had no knowledge of it
- Guy out on $15,000 bail; scheduled from arraignment on Friday
- Marsilio’s only open for one year and has been very successful, specializing in
Italian food
- Despite early raid, Marsilio’s had steady costumer stream
- Most arrests were Mid-level drug dealers
- Include two former minor league baseball players
- Estenvison Ramirez, 24 and Vinilenny Marte, 24
- Daughter of Dukie DeMary of Luchese crime family, Danielle DeMary arrested
- $2,500 to $250,000 bail on the aforementioned
Interview:
Theodore Castaldo:
What is your profession and where do you live?
-Co-owner of Marsilio’s
-Originally from Deal, NJ
-Currently living in Raritan, closer to Marsilio’s
Did you have any suspicion that your brother may have been involved with
something other than the restaurant business?
-I had suspicion that something was going on, but not drug related.
-He was not talking much; he would blow me off, strange attitude.
-I though it was a relationship problem, but I did not think much of it.
Do you believe that your brother was not involved with the drug ring?
-I honestly can’t be sure. Because I am his brother, I’d like to believe he is innocent.
However, evidence leans towards his guilt.
Assuming that you are not taken in for questioning; do you plan to reopen the
business?
-If Guy goes to jail I will take full ownership
-Partnership may cause business failure
-No plans yet
The raid took place early in the morning. Were you on the scene and why?
-No, I was not at the scene.
-Guy was at the restaurant.
I was at home sleeping.
Mr. Dukie DeMary:
Do you plan on bailing out your daughter?
-No, she got caught
-No, upset that I did not get part of profit.
Do you have any idea how long this operation has been in existence?
-No, but my daughter has been a coke head for the past two years and she is a dirty
little slut.
-Don’t support here, hope she gets raped in prison
Do you have any relation to Theodore or Guy Castaldo?
-No, they are a bunch of queers
-Food at Marsilio’s is crap.
Do you think Theodore was involved?
-Man had to be an idiot to not know what was going on.
Are you involved?
-No, people have been spoken to, I will not be involved
Marsilio’s Patron:
What was your business being at Marsilio’s so early in the morning?
-Normally have breakfast before work
Where do you work and where do you live?
-At local NY&Co.
-Live nearby Marsilio’s in Raritan
Have you ever had any indication that there was more suspicious activity going
on here?
-Never, never expected it to happen
-Everyone has always been so nice
What happened during the raid? Was it violent?
-We heard the cop cars pull up; Police barged into the kitchen, weapons drawn, and
told everyone to leave. There was no violence that I could see, but I heard a lot of
yelling
How long have you been a patron of Marsilio’s?
-Since they have been open. It is near my home, so I have my coffee.
Tom Reno:
When did you begin organizing this operation?
-About three or so months ago
What was the main objective?
To break up the drug ring, especially arresting the king pin. A number of different
agencies were involved, but no other key player. Also the FBI was not involved. We
kept it to local police.
Are there other drug dealers that you still hope to bust?
-As of right now, I’m not 100% sure. Need to talk to chief. Always on the look of for
others.
How long do think these arrests will hold off future drug rings?
-Hopefully for a while (6-8 months)
-There are always people selling and people looking to buy.
What is the next move in this operation?
-To Prosecute the individuals
-Hopefully leads to more arrests depending on how cooperative they want to be
during questioning.
Succuss on scale on of 1 to 10 and why?
-8, not able to get everyone
-Great that we got drugs/vehicles/weapons
Closing info that you’d like the public to know?
-If you are out there selling drugs, we’ll find you!
Officer assigned to Marsilio’s raid:
How do you think the raid went?
-Pretty good, we got the dirty Mexicans and the queer freak, Guy
-We found cocaine, guns and food (but no donuts-had to order out)
Was there any violence involved? Where there any injuries?
-No Violence
-No comment on injures except, Rimerez won’t be walking to good for the next few
days
Is this the first raid that you participated in?
-Reguarly raid DunkinDonuts
-Also did the Jason Williams residence raid
Were you involved in the planning stages of this raid?
-No, I was just assigned to the job?
How long have you been on the force and what is your title?
-I have been on the force for 13 years and I am a watch sergeant
What do you think of the criminals?
-I hope they all go to prison and Bubba shows them a great time
-No other comment; I don’t really care