13 arrested in Hopatcong drug bust
By Nathan Mayberg
HOPATCONG — Over the course of the last six weeks, Hopatcong police arrested 13 people on drug charges as part of an investigation into cocaine allegedly being distributed at and around Castaways Bar on Maxim Drive.
No employees of the Castaway bar were arrested or accused of drug activity.
Police used undercover officers in Castaways Bar to witness cocaine deals inside the bar, right outside of the bar and in vehicles parked in the parking lot, according to Hopatcong police.
During the investigation, police seized $900 in cash, two vehicles, 72 bags of cocaine, and various quantities of marijuana.
In addition to the charges of cocaine and marijuana possession against the individuals, the bar is being investigated for allegedly serving less than premium alcohol in bottles of liquor labeled as premium alcohol.
Bottles labeled Jim Beam Whiskey were allegedly not as advertised.
Police arrested the following individuals on April 9:
Anthoni Moore, 26, of Morristown, and charged him with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana under 50 grams.
Christopher O'Connor, 29, of Hopatcong, was charged with distribution and possession of cocaine.
Dejon Garcia, 27, of Rockaway, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana under 50 grams.
Hope Lombardi, 31, of Randolph, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. She was also wanted on warrants from Dover and Roxbury.
Isael Ramos, 26, Dover, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. He was also wanted on warrants from Belmar and Seaside Heights.
The following were arrested on April 15:
Chance Halyard, 25, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was charged with distribution of cocaine and possession of cocaine.
Christopher Setteducato, 30, of Hopatcong, was charged with distribution and possession of cocaine. Setteducato was also arrested
On April 29, police arrested Christopher Malakuskie, 37, of Landing, for possession of cocaine.
The following were arrested on May 7:
Sean Prebor, 24, Hopatcong, was charged with distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession of a drug scale. On May 20, he was also arrested for possession of cocaine and distribution of cocaine.
The following were also arrested on May 20:
Deanna Ramirez, 41, of Hopatcong, was charged with marijuana possession under 50 grams.
Steven Serocke, 25, of Hopatcong, was charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams.
Kaitlyn Tallaksen, 22, of Hopatcong, was charged with possession of cocaine.
The Hopatcong Police Department were aided in the investigation by the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office, Morris County Prosecutors Office, Roxbury Police Department, members of the Department of Criminal Justice Alcohol Beverage Control Unit and Sussex County Sheriff's Office.