The drugs had an approximate street value of $500,000, authorities said.
FRANKLIN -- A tip to authorities last week resulted in the arrest of three and the seized of two packages containing five kilos cocaine with an approximate street value of $500,000.
Joel Osman Matos-Santiago, 33, of New Brunswick; Victor M. Santana-Ricardo, 27, of New Brunswick; and Jessica Rodriguez, 25, of Franklin have been arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, according to Somerset County law enforcement officials and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force received information from the U.S. Postal Service and New Brunswick police that on October 8, 2015 a parcel containing drugs would be delivered to a North Dover Avenue residence in Franklin Township, authorities said.
Task Force Detectives, along with U.S. Postal Inspection Officers, intercepted two packages at the Franklin Post Office addressed to Jessica Rodriguez residing on North Dover Avenue, authorities said.
Somerset County Sheriff's Office K-9 "Apex" and his handler were called to the scene, authorities said. The K-9 conducted an external sniff of both packages and gave a positive indication for drugs being in both packages, authorities said.
Task Force members established a surveillance team in the vicinity of the North Dover Avenue residence, authorities said.
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At about 3:30 p.m., Victor M. Santana-Ricardo and Joel Osman Matos-Santiago were outside the residence when the postal officer arrived with the packages, authorities said. Matos-Santiago immediately left the area in a black Acura TSX and Santana-Ricardo told the officer that he was Jessica Rodriguez' husband, authorities said. He asked the postal officer to put the packages on the front steps of the residence, authorities said.
Jessica Rodriguez (Somerset County Prosecutor's Offiice)Moments later, the surveillance team observed Santiago-Ricardo on his cellphone and Matos-Rodriquez return in the Acura after circling the block, authorities said. After retrieving the packages and placing them in the rear seat area of the vehicle, Matos-Santiago left the area via North Dover Avenue towards Hamilton Street at a high rate of speed, authorities said.
Task Force Detectives attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop at which time Matos-Santiago attempted to elude them while making evasive maneuvers with his vehicle, authorities said. After he struck a police vehicle on Park Street, detectives placed him under arrest.
A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of two packages in the rear seat containing five kilograms of cocaine, authorities said.
Santana-Ricardo was arrested at the North Dover Avenue residence without incident.
Rodriguez was arrested without incident at 5:30 p.m. when she arrived home.
Matos-Santiago was charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, second-degree conspiracy to commit a drug offense and second-degree eluding.
Santana-Ricardo and Rodriguez were charged with first-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and second-degree conspiracy to commit a drug offense.
Matos-Santiago and Santana-Ricardo are being held in Somerset County Jail on $250,000 cash-only bail. Rodriguez is being held on $100,000 cash-only bail.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
