Top: Gilberto Rivera and the treasure trove cops say they found in his car. Bottom: That’s not a dashboard console (l,), it’s a place to stash gun and dope.
By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
When Kearny Vice Squad detectives busted a Newark man for drug possession/distribution Oct. 17 on Maple St., they reported recovering 135 folds of heroin. While the suspect was languishing in the Hudson County Jail on $40,000 bail, the KPD obtained a search warrant for his impounded car. The result? A reported 365 additional folds — for a total of 500 — plus a fully-loaded .357 Magnum.
The accused, Gilberto Rivera, 32, is now being held on an added $150,000 bail, cash only, no 10% option. Authorities said he has a record of 11 prior arrests — including charges of kidnapping, drug distribution and gun possession — and eight felony convictions.
Rivera’s latest encounter with law began at 2 p.m., Oct. 17, when KPD Vice observed what appeared to be a hand-to- hand drug transaction in a 2006 Chevy Impala he had been driving on Maple St. near Liberty St.
The buyer, described as a “known drug violator,” was identified as Carol Enright, 37, of Kearny, who reportedly discarded several folds of suspected heroin within the car as the officers approached.
But Rivera was allegedly in possession of far more.
Recovered from the Impala, police said, were a total of 135 folds, stamped “Wall St.”
Rivera and Enright were taken into custody, along with a front-seat passenger, Jenny Reyes, 31, of Newark. Police said Reyes was not believed to have any involvement in the drug deal, but she did have an outstanding warrant from Newark and was charged on that. Enright was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia and was released on a summons.
Rivera was booked for possession and distribution of heroin, distribution within a school zone and within 500 feet of a park/playground, distribution of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a paging device while committing a drug offense. He was remanded to the Hudson County Jail.
The KPD impounded the Impala and brought it to headquarters pending the issuance of a search warrant, which was granted Oct. 20 by Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young.
Police Chief John Dowie said the subsequent search revealed a hidden compartment in the dashboard that contained the .357 Magnum revolver. All six chambers were loaded, four of them with hollow-point bullets, Dowie reported.
Also found: 243 folds of “He- Man” heroin; 59 folds stamped “Game 6”; 58 stamped “Scarface”; one labeled “Black Jack,” and four more “Wall St.” folds — plus two vials of suspected cocaine.
In addition to his prior charges, Rivera now also stands accused of possession of cocaine, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of a firearm while engaged in a drug violation and violation of the law prohibiting convicted felons from possessing a gun.
His total bail now stands at $190,000
