ELIZABETH, NJ — A narcotics investigation has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of more than 300 grams of cocaine from an Elizabeth apartment, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced.
Limber Obesso, 35, and Lizmary Rivera, 30, were apprehended this morning at their home on the 200 block of West Grand Street.
An investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office’s Guns, Gangs, Drugs, and Violent Crimes Task Force resulted in the pair being identified as suspects. Members of the Task Force and the Elizabeth Police Department Narcotics Unit involved in a search of their apartment Tuesday allegedly recovered slightly more than 300 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia used for the processing and packaging of cocaine, a drug press, and nearly $3,000 in cash.
Obesso and Rivera both were charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second-degree possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and a related third-degree drug offense.
The endangering charges were filed because the cocaine recovered at the scene was allegedly located in an open dresser drawer that was easily accessible to the couple’s 7-year-old daughter; custody of the child was transferred to a family member following Tuesday’s arrests.
State Superior Court Judge Frederic McDaniel set bail at $400,000 for Obesso and $200,000 for Rivera, and the defendants were lodged in Union County Jail.
Convictions on first-degree criminal charges are typically punishable by 10 to 20 years in state prison, with second-degree crimes resulting in penalties of 5 to 10 years.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.