Area residents swept up in Morris County drug ring arrests - Six Stanhope residents and a Byram woman among the 120 arrested

Byram/Stanhope - Authorities remain “tight-lipped” about a November cocaine sweep, signaling that more arrests may be eminent in what is already the largest single drug bust in Morris County history, sources familiar with the investigation said. At least three Sparta and six Stanhope residents, a Hampton couple, and a Byram woman were among 120 arrested when police dismantled a $100,000-a-month cocaine ring based out of a popular Morris County restaurant, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office said. The six-month investigation culminated in the arrests of both sellers and customers in an operation that stemmed from Cerilli’s Restaurant in Randolph. Investigators said the distribution network also used the Rockaway Townsquare Mall. Among those charged with possession were Dawn Brown, 42, Todd McElewee, 39, and Robert Meisner, ’40, of Sparta; and Linda (Hulse) Appleby, of Byram. Sparta Police Chief Ernie Reigstad said his department would be contacted on a “need-to-know basis” concerning the investigation. “It can be anyone - these aren’t three kids from town,” said Reigstad. “It can be anyone and that’s probably the scariest thing about drugs. It cuts through the entire segment of society and knows no boundaries.” The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office predicted that 40 of the 120 arrested would be convicted as dealers and sentenced to prison terms of at least five years. Nearly 400 officers from 34 agencies executed search warrants at 150 locations during the early morning hours Saturday, Nov. 12, in Morris, Sussex, Essex, and Warren counties and at homes in Byram, Hopatcong, and Stanhope. “Taking down a large scale distribution ring is a positive thing; we had three Sparta people get involved in this,” said Reigstad. “This sends a message that law enforcement in New Jersey is vigilant about drug use.” Investigators netted about 2 pounds of cocaine, $64,000 in cash, six firearms, and 60 vehicles. The Prosecutor’s Offices said the operation allegedly involved the distribution of at least 4 ½-6 ½ pounds of cocaine to Morris County and points beyond. Alejandro Anda-Rodriguez, 31, of Dover, a cook at Cerilli’s, was charged with several counts of drug distribution and the first-degree charge of being the drug-trafficking ringleader. Authorities allege, that with the help of three other employees, Anda-Rodriguez sold cocaine to customers both inside and outside the restaurant. Several other restaurant employees and one of its owners, Cataldo Cerilli, 46, also were arrested as part of the operation. Earlier this week, authorities arrested the cocaine connection of the suspected drug kingpin operating out of Cereilli’s. Felix Martinez, 38, was arrested in the Bronx and is being held at Rikers Island without bail, pending extradition to Morris County, said the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.