Illegal Marijuana Stores Raided By Task Force: Bergen Prosecutor

HACKENSACK, NJ — Five men have been arrested in connection with illegal sales of marijuana at several stores in north Jersey, according to officials.

Narcotics investigators began looking into an Englewood business called Dirty Jerzy Supplies LLC in August and discovered the building “was operating as an illegal marijuana dispensary selling recreational marijuana and various THC products to the public,” according to a news release from Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.

Undercover detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force “purchased marijuana and other THC products” from Dirty Jerzy Supplies LLC stores in Englewood, Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains, according to a news release.

Detectives stopped a car driven by Michael Ligus and Damian Wesler Sr. on Feb. 4 and seized more than 50 pounds of marijuana, the news release said.

That same day, detectives executed search warrants at Dirty Jerzy Supplies locations at Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains as well as a warehouse in Fairfield, the residences of four suspects, and “multiple vehicles” associated with the investigation. The investigators seized “hundreds of pounds of marijuana, THC edibles, THC wax/oil, and approximately $305,000.”

Law enforcement officials arrested five people in connection with the investigation:

Michael Ligus, 24, of Ringwood was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana over 25 pounds with intent to distribute; second-degree money laundering in an amount greater than $75,000 but less than $500,000; second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles. He was taken to Bergen County Jail.

Damian Wesler Sr., 44, of Franklin Lakes was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana over 25 pounds with intent to distribute; second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles. He was taken to Bergen County Jail.

Damian Wesler Jr., 22, of Ringwood was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles. He was taken to Bergen County Jail.

Anthony Garcia, 44, of Secaucus was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana; and second-degree conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hashish oil edibles. He was taken to Bergen County Jail.

Ezekiel Paulino, 25 of Rutherford was charged with first-degree possession of hashish oil edibles over 5 pounds with intent to distribute. Paulino was issued a summons and released.