🔴 Det. Christopher Orellana arrested in North Bergen
🔴 Drug charge tied to a major Hudson County cocaine bust
🔴 A retired officer and a police dispatcher also face related charges
NORTH BERGEN — Authorities have arrested a New Jersey police detective on a drug charge linked to a major cocaine trafficking ring in North Jersey.
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On Monday, Det. Christopher Orellana was taken into custody at North Bergen police headquarters and charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
Orellana, 46, is the latest law enforcement member charged by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office after a six-month investigation. Prosecutors say they have now arrested 14 people connected to the trafficking operation.
Investigators reported seizing four kilograms of cocaine, two handguns, seven vehicles, and more than $70,000 during searches across North Bergen, West New York, and Union City. They also uncovered a site used to produce narcotics, according to prosecutors.
Previous Law Enforcement Arrests in the Case
Hudson County prosecutors had already charged at least three other law enforcement members in the same investigation:
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Ileana Hernandez, a dispatcher for the West New York police, charged with multiple offenses including official misconduct and conspiracy to distribute. She has been suspended.
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Retired Det. Thomas Mannion, who spent 18 years as president of his local Police Benevolent Association, charged last month with second-degree conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
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Hudson County Corrections Officer Marquis Santiago, charged with third-degree conspiracy to possess cocaine.
Orellana’s Background
Det. Orellana had been considered a “rising star” in the North Bergen Police Department. He joined law enforcement in 2013 and, in 2016, the department highlighted his drug arrests — including marijuana cases — in multiple Facebook posts.
He was named Officer of the Month in July 2016 and again in December 2022.
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